Field Inspection and Safety Guidelines

20XXEMERGENCY PLAN

(club name)

This document should be ON HAND at every practice, game and sponsored activity for quick access to this important information.

FIELD INSPECTION AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

(based on US Lacrosse Risk Management Manual)

A thorough inspection of the field, bleachers, outer buildings and restrooms should be done before the season begins. The field itself should be inspected by a coach and/orthe game administrator prior to the start of every practice or game.

1.The dimensions of the field should conform with the specifications established by the league.

2. Go over the entire playing field to ensure it is free of any holes, depressions, raised sprinkler heads and other hazards.

3. Clear the field of stones, pieces of glass and other objects or debris.

4. Spectators and seating: check the safety, construction and positioning of seating, bleachers and spectator areas. Make sure spectator areas are a safe distance from the field of play. Do not allow spectators to be on the team sideline. Do not allow spectators to sit or stand close to the playing field.

5. Inspect light stanchions, fence posts and trees that are near the field of play to ensure they are properly cushioned or protected, and are always designated as “out of play” areas. All “out of play” areas should be cushioned or fenced off or, at minimum, marked by paint or chalk lines.

6. Inspect the condition of and access to locker rooms, restrooms and portable toilets (port-o-johns). If portable toilets are used, make sure they are positioned on level ground, away from inclines or depressions which may cause them to tip over.

7. Check the condition, location and lighting of parking lots, including passenger pick-up/drop-off areas.

8. Handicap access –check entryways and exits, ramps, restroom access,and parking.

9. Check the security of the ticket booth and concession stands, if cash transactions are being accepted.

10. Inspect all fencing to make sure it is in good repair and free of protruding hazards or sharp edges.

11. If the field is used for other sports, inspect for fixtures or equipment that may have been left by the previous user. IMPORTANT NOTE: If the field is used for soccer and portable goals are on the premises, NEVER allow players or others to play on, hang from or move the goalposts. Portable soccer goals are prone to tipping over, and have been responsible for catastrophic injuries and fatalities in recent years.

12. Find out if the facility is equipped with lightning detection equipment. Determine where the nearest shelter is from the field in the event of serious weather or other emergency conditions. Note that small, open shelters typically found on playing fields or parks will not provide adequate protection in the event of lightning. A house or substantial building offers the best protection from lightning strikes.

13. Locate the nearest land-line telephone to the field and note its phone number.

14. Locate the nearest medical facility, whether on-site or off-site.

15. Check whether there is a security station or officer on-site.

Emergency Medical Procedures

Home games and practices

(based on US Lacrosse Risk Management Manual)

Provide immediate care to the injured or ill participant or spectator. The most qualified individual(s) should handle this, if medical personnel are not on-site. At home games, this will normally be our game-site medical coordinator or our contracted athletic trainer. If an athletic trainer is present, the (club name) game administrator should introduce the athletic trainer to the opposing team coaches and the officials as soon as they arrive at the field.

2. Retrieve emergency equipment or supplies.

3. Call for HELP. Assign someone else to make these calls where possible, as the person calling 911 must stay on the line until the operator says to hang up.

a) Call 911 – Provide name, address, telephone number; information on the emergency – number of individuals injured/ill, condition of individuals, first aid treatment; give specific directions to location; and stay on the line until the EMS operator tells you to hang up.

b) Identify and request the immediate assistance of on-site medical staff, if available.

c) Call on-site security officers, if available.

4. Provide EMS with complete directions to the scene of the emergency.

a) Designate specific individual to open locked entrances or gates to the facility.

b) Designate a person to flag down EMS and direct them to the scene.

5. Crowd Management.

a) Get other participants and spectators to safety, if additional threat is present.

b) Limit the scene of emergency treatment to first aid providers only.

For away games, the home/host team will be responsible for providing emergency medical personnel. Upon arrival on-site, the(club name)game administrator should check with the opposing team’s game administrator to confirm the presence of emergency medical personnel and to identify where they will be located before, during, and immediately after the game.

Medical SUPPLIES

The coaches will have a minor medical problem supply bag at all practices on the (club name) campus, and at allhome and away games. This bag contains simple supplies for addressing minor medical issues.

Within the (club name) building complex, the Nurse’s Office is located at the (describe where the nurse’s office is). The Nurse’s Office may be reached by dialing(phone number).

Within the (school name) building complex, the Athletic Trainer’s Office is located at (describe where the Trainer’s Office is located). The phone number for the athletic trainer’s office is (phone number).

At home games, the athletic trainer should have their emergency medical supplies with them while on the field.

AED’s:

a) On the (school name) Campus, AED’s are located at: 1) (location), 2) (location), 3) location), and 4) location),.

b) At the (game field location), AED’s are located at(location).

c) Only trained individual(s) approved and designated by the (club name) will bring the team AED to practices and games.

CONCUSSION IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT

Every year, players of all ages in all sports receive concussion injuries during games and practice. Characterized by an impairment of the brain’s normal function and caused by violent shaking or jarring of the brain, concussions may cause alterations in cognitive function, vision, eye movement, facial movement, or speech.

The study and treatment of concussions in athletes has received significant attention in recent years. A revitalized interest in concussion management is taking place in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, and sports medicine.

U.S. Lacrosse has posted a wealth of information on this important subject on their website. Coaches and players should review this material which is available at:

The following suggested guidelines are from the Official Rules for Girl’s and Women’s Lacrosse

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness (be “knocked out”) to have suffered a concussion.

Common Symptoms of Concussion Include:

• headache

• fogginess

• difficulty concentrating

• easily confused

• slowed thought processes

• difficulty with memory

• nausea

• lack of energy, tiredness

• dizziness, poor balance • blurred vision

• sensitive to light and sounds • mood changes- irritable, anxious, or tearful

Suggested Concussion Management:

No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion.

Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day.

Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate health-care professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.

After medical clearance, RTP should follow a step-wise protocol with provisions for delayed RTP based upon return of any signs or symptoms.

For further details please see the “NFHS Suggested Guidelines for

Management of Concussion” at

.
Inclement Weather Procedures

Lightning Safety (based on the US Lacrosse Risk Management Manual, the UIL Football Manual, and the Official Rules for Girl’s and Women’s Lacrosse)

The decision to suspend a game due to lightning will be made by the umpires on the field at the time of play. You should review these guidelines with them and the opposing team coaches prior to any game that has the potential for lightning conditions to develop. You should have a means of monitoring local weather forecasts and warnings, and you should identify safe shelters for the venue.

If thunder is heard, anyone may notify scorer’s table.

Name a designated weather watcher (A person who actively looks for the signs of threatening weather andnotifies the officials if severe weather becomes dangerous). The weather watcher will time length between lightning flash and thunder. Officials will be notified when conditions become dangerous.

In the absence of technology to assist with weather evaluation, games and practices will be suspended when the “flash-to-bang” count for lightning approaches 30 seconds. By the time the flash-to-bang count approachesthirty seconds all individuals should be already inside a safe structure.

Once a game is suspended, quickly evacuate teams and spectators to a safe location. A safe location is any substantial, frequently inhabited building. The building should have four solid walls, electrical and telephone wiring, as well as plumbing, which all aid in grounding the structure. The second choice is a fully enclosed vehicle with a metal roof and the windows completely closed. It is important not to touch any part of the metal framework of the vehicle while inside it during the storm.

Players may take the field and spectators may return to the stands no sooner than 30 minutes after the last visible lightning flash or sound of thunder.

Tornado Safety (based on the online FEMA Tornado Tips Brochure)

If possible, get inside a building.

If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Use arms to protect head and neck.

Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.

Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building. If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

IMPORTANTCONTACT INFORMATION

Closest Emergency Care

EXAMPLE

St. David's Medical CenterUniversity Medical Center at Brackenridge Hospital

919 E. 32nd St. 601 E. 15th Street

(512) 476-7111 (512) 324-7000

Dell Childrens Medical Center

4900 Mueller Blvd.

(512) 324-0000

Designated Team Trainer insert names, email, and phone numbers for all roles

Coaches

ClubOfficers

High School Athletic Director

High School Main Office

High School Nurses Office

Principal -

AISD Campus Police Emergency

Faculty Sponsors

Noack Sports Complex

Officials

FIELD DIRECTIONS

High School Practice and Game Fields

Emergency number for serious situations at field is 911.

Directions

EXAMPLE

Noack Sports Complex Field

5300 Crainway Drive 78724-3211

Emergency number for serious situations at Noack field is 911.

A telephone is available on site: 512-844-8323, near entrance.

Directions

From Southbound or Northbound 183

Take the Manor Road exit. Exit and take Manor eastbound. Turn right at Pecan Brook. Continue on Pecan Brook Drive until you reach the intersection of Lazy Creek and Pecan Brook. Turn left on Lazy Creek. Lazy Creek dead ends. Turn left on Crainway Drive. The complex will be on your right at the end of Crainway Drive

Opponent Contact Information

Insert District Contact Lists Here
(club name)Incident Report

It is important to have written incident reports on file regarding injuries, property damage or other incidents that may result in a claim against the Club, the league, and (school name). Many such claims allege negligence, and written reports prepared immediately after an incident occurs are invaluable in defending these types of claims. In the event of a serious injury, it is important to ask for written statements from witnesses and individuals actually involved in the incident. One copy of the report should be sent to the Club president(s) and the originator should keep a copy of the report for their own records, since many lawsuits are filed long after the injury occurs.

Attach any additional information that might be helpful in defense of a future claim, such as: police report, doctor’s statement, pre-game field inspection report, routine facility maintenance report, photos taken at the time of the incident and written statements of witnesses.

This report is to be completed by Coach or Club Officer for incidents occurring during regular, pre-season or post- season team activities

1. General Information

Date and Time of Report: ______

Reporter’s Name: ______Role/Position: ______

Home Address: ______

Phone (H): ______Phone (W): ______

Phone (CELL): ______Email: ______

Event/Activity: ______

Date and Time of Incident: ______

Location of Incident: ______

2. Provide full description of all events leading up to and including the incident:

______

3. Witnesses: Full Name and Address note if a statement is attached

______

4. Who responded to the incident (include all parties - Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Campus Security, Paramedics, Police, etc.):

______

5. If an Injury is involved, please provide the following:

Injured Person’s Name: ______

Address: ______

Phone (H): ______Sex: ______Male ______Female

Position: Player _____ Coach _____ Official _____ Spectator _____ Other:______

6. Describe injury (specify where on body, right or left side):

______

7. Was First Aid treatment required? ______

8. If yes, who provided First Aid treatment? ______

______

9. Please provide detailed description of surroundings, facility condition, weather condition, etc:

______

10. Other Comments: ______

______

11. Verification Statement: By signing this document, I verify that this report is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Coach’s Signature: ______Date: ______

Official’s Signature: ______Date: ______

Club Officer’s Signature:______Date: ______

Player and Parent Contact Information and medical treatment permissions

INSERT PLAYER EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION AND MEDICAL TREATMENT PERMISSION STATEMENTS HERE.

20xx(club name) Emergency Plan1