The purpose of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is to provide the best quality of care in a timely manner, by guiding athletic personnel, emergency medical services, and campus security (if available) to emergency situations when they occur. It is essential to have a developed EAP that identifies each member of the emergency response team, those who need to be contacted, the emergency equipment available, and directions to where EMS needs to go so things run smoothly.
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL- Certified athletic trainer is located in the athletic training room which is located in the Kilby Athletic Center in the back hallway between the men’s and women’s locker rooms. An athletic trainer will be at all home contests until completion and at all practices as per contracted allotment of hours will allow. A schedule of exact hours and contact numbers will be posted on the white board outside the athletic training room.
Type and degree of sports medicine coverage for an athletic event (practice or game) may be based on factors such as the particular sport or activity, the setting and the type of training or competition. With the majority of the athletic contests and practices, the first responder to an emergency situation is typically a member from the sports medicine staff, most commonly a certified athletic trainer (ATC). A team physician may be present at high risk sporting events such as football games. Other members of the emergency team may include emergency medical technicians (EMT), coaches and administration.
Roles of each of the above individuals within the emergency team may vary depending on various factors such as number of members on the team, the athletic venue itself. Roles within the emergency team include:
Immediate care of the athlete (by those with the highest level of training)
The chain of command is as follows
Team physician (if present)
AACS certified athletic trainer
Visiting team certified athletic trainer
Athletic Director
Coaching staff
Other support staff
If the team physician or athletic trainer are ON SITE at the time of injury, he/she will take command. If the team physician or athletic trainer are NOT ON SITE at the time of injury then the next person on the chain of command is in charge.
Emergency Equipment Retrieval
Equipment retrieval, may be done by anyone on the emergency team who is familiar with the types and location of the specific equipment needed. Coaches, administration, student athletic trainers or even players may be called on for this role.
Emergency equipment of importance
Automated External Defibrillators(AEDs) and Locations:
Athletic trainer will carry a portable AED with him/her at all times and will have one present with him/her while out at practices or games as well as with him/her in the athletic training room if he/she is in the athletic training room.
AED Locations
Please familiarize yourself with their locations
Facility
Location
Kilby Center
#1 AED is with Certified Athletic Trainer on Gator for practices and competitions. Otherwise it is in athletic training room.
#2 Mounted on the wall in the main lobby. Look for red AED sign and white box.
Sulin Hall
#3 Mounted on the wall outside the Dean’s Office. Look for red AED sign and white box.
Admin Building
#4 Mounted on the wall in main lobby. Look for red AED sign and white box.
Power Drill (face mask removal)
Located in athletic training room or with onsite athletic trainer.
Medical Kits- to be with teams at all practices and games.
Activation of emergency medical services(EMS)
EMS activation, should be done as soon as the situation is deemed an “emergency” or “life-threatening event.” Time is the most critical factor. Activating the EMS system may be done by anyone on the team. However, the person chosen for this duty should be someone who is calm under pressure, who communicates well, and who is familiar with the location of the sporting event. STEPS FOR ACTIVATION ARE NOTED BELOW.
Directions to the emergency site
After EMS has been activated, one member of the team should be responsible for meeting the emergency medical personnel as they arrive at the site of the contest. An assistant coach, administrator or student athletic trainer is appropriate for this role.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
Activation of Emergency Medical Services
In the event that an emergency occurs involving a student-athlete, a member of the emergency team should promptly contact emergency medical services (EMS). The local emergency number is 911. There are telephones located in the main office and the athletic trainer will have a cell phone on him/her at all times. All coaches are RESPONSIBLE to have a cell phone at all practices/games in order to contact the athletic trainer or to activate EMS should an emergency arise. This is especially important in cases where the athletic trainer may not be on campus. A back up communication plan should be in effect if there should be a failure of the primary communication system. Prearranged access to the phone should be established if it is not easily accessible.
Contacting the Emergency Medical Services(EMS)
If EMT’s are at the event, then signal (determined in advance) should be given to summon them.
If EMT’s are not on site, then call 911.
The following information should be provided to the dispatcher.
Your name
Exact location of the injury occurred and where you will meet them
The number you are calling from
Number of injured athletes
The condition of athlete(s)
The care being provided
Make sure you hang up only after the dispatcher has hung up.
Notify someone from the sports medicine staff.
As EMS is being dispatched, make sure someone is designated to retrieve any needed emergency equipment from the sidelines or training room.
Have coaches serve as crowd control and keep other athletes away from victim.
Send someone to meet the ambulance at the designated spot. SEE SPECIFIC VENUE INFORMATION.
If a parent is not present, a member of the coaching staff or administration will accompany the injured athlete to the hospital.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN IN CASE OF LIGHTNING OR OTHER SEVERE WEATHER
A member of the emergency care team (ATC, coach or administration) is designated to monitor threatening weather conditions and make the decision to remove a team or individuals from the athletic venue or event. Monitoring should include obtaining a weather report prior to a practice or game. Be aware of national weather service issued thunderstorm “watches” or “warnings” as well as signs or thunderstorms developing nearby. “Watch” means conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area; a “warning” means that severe weather has been reported in an area and for everyone to take proper precautions. Be aware of how close lightning is occurring. Be alert at the first sign of lightning or thunder and take the appropriate actions to evacuate the venue or fields. A 30 minute waiting period should pass following the last flash of lightning or clap of thunder before resuming athletic activity per the MIAA. All athletes and coaches should move to the nearest indoor location as follows:
Tennis courts, baseball practice field, and football field - go to the field house.
Soccer/FH/lax fields - go to the Kerr Center if the building is open, if closed go to the Kilby Center lobby.
GUIDELINES FOR EMERGENCY CARE TO SPECIFIC INJURIES OR ILLNESSES
In all cases, if the athletic trainer is on site, contact the athletic trainer first. If athletic trainer is NOT on site, then follow instructions below.
Spinal injury
Face mask is to be removed while maintaining cervical spine neutral (Football and Boys Lacrosse Only) and only to be performed in presence of trained medical professional (ATC, Team Physician, EMT). Shoulder pads are only to be removed if the helmet is no longer being worn (ie. Knocked off or player has taken off) and should be done so while maintaining proper cervical spine neutral and in the presence of trained medical professionals.
Check the airway, breathing, and circulation, and administer CPR as needed.
Have someone else call emergency medical services (EMS)
Support the cervical spine (neck) by positioning hands on the side of head. Do not leave this point until instructed to do so by the EMS crew.
Have someone else prevent or treat for shock while you maintain your position at the head.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE ATHLETE unless the athlete is in danger as a result of his/her location (if they are moved, proper neck and back support must be used).
Reassure the athlete to stay calm.
Major Fracture
Treat athlete for shock
Apply basic first aid
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE FRACTURE or move involved body part
Splint, making sure the athlete continues to have a distal pulse and sensation
Transport the athlete to the hospital (EMS)
Major Joint Dislocations
Treat the athlete for shock
Apply basic first aid
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE DISLOCATION
Splint, making sure the athlete continues to have a distal(below injury) pulse and sensation
Transport the athlete to the hospital(EMS)
Heat Illness
Remove the athlete from the heat
Remove excess clothing
Determine severity of illness
Monitor ABC’s
Attempt to cool the body
Stay with the athlete at all times
Activate EMS if deemed severe or unsure
Cardiac Problems
Check the airway, breathing, and circulation, and administer CPR as needed and continue until EMS arrives or until can not continue or until another trained professional has arrived.
Send someone to retrieve nearest automated external defibrillator(AED)
Treat for shock
Activate EMS
Put athlete in comfortable position
Any Other Emergency Situation
Check the ABC’s
Apply basic first aid
Prevent and/or treat for shock
When in doubt activate EMS
Guidelines During a Serious On-Field Player Injury
Players, coaches and administration not involved with action plan should remain in the bench area. Adequate lines of vision between the medical staff and all available emergency personnel should be established and maintained.
Players, parents and non-authorized personnel should be kept at significant distance away from the seriously injured player or players.
Players or non-medical personnel should not touch, move or roll an injured player.
Players should not try to assist a teammate who is lying on the field (i.e. removing the helmet or chin strap, or attempting to assist breathing by elevating waist).
Players should not pull on an injured teammate or opponent from a pile-up
Once the medical staff begins to work on an injured player, they should be allowed to perform services without interruption or interference.
Players and coaches should avoid dictating medical services to the athletic trainer or team physician or taking up their time to perform such services.
Training of Emergency Procedures
Training/Review sessions will be conducted by the athletic trainer at the beginning of each academic year and throughout the year as needed (changes of seasons). Emergency procedure training sessions will include: The review of emergency care providers and phone numbers, minimum supplies and personnel for all scheduled practices, strength and conditioning workouts, skill instruction sessions and competitions, guidelines for emergency care to specific injuries and illnesses, and guidelines for emergency care at specific locations on campus at Annapolis Area Christian School.
Guidelines for Emergency Care at locations specific to Annapolis Area Christian School
Front Fields (soccer, field hockey, lacrosse)
Emergency Personnel: Certified athletic trainer(ATC) and student athletic trainer on site for practices and competitions; additional sports medicine staff as needed.
Emergency Communication: Athletic trainer will have cell phone with him/her at all times and all coaches should have cell phones with them at all times.
Emergency Equipment
Automated external defibrillator(AED) located with athletic trainer or outside the Dining Hall in Kilby
Roles of First Responder
Immediate care of the injured or ill student-athlete
Emergency equipment retrieval
Activation of EMS-911 (follow guidelines as outlined in “contacting EMS” section
Directions for EMS to Front fields
Located at 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, Maryland 21144
Going North on Burns Crossing Road.
Turn right into Annapolis Area Christian School.
Follow the road past the fields on your left to the parking lot where they will be further directed.
Baseball practice field, football field and tennis courts
Emergency Personnel: Certified athletic trainer(ATC) and student athletic trainer on site for practices and competitions; additional sports medicine staff as needed.
Emergency Communication: Athletic trainer will have cell phone with him/her at all times and all coaches should have cell phones with them at all times.
Emergency Equipment
Automated external defibrillator(AED) located with athletic trainer or outside the Dining Hall in Kilby
Roles of First Responder
Immediate care of the injured or ill student-athlete
Emergency equipment retrieval
Activation of EMS-911 (follow guidelines as outlined in “contacting EMS” section
Directions for EMS to Front fields
Located at 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, Maryland 21144
Going North on Burns Crossing Road.
Turn right into Annapolis Area Christian School.
Follow the road past the school buildings on the right and head towards the back of the school where they will be further directed.
Gymnasium, Wrestling Room, and Field House Turf (Wrestling, Basketball, Cheerleading, and Indoor Practices when inclement weather)
Emergency Personnel: Certified athletic trainer(ATC) and student athletic trainer on site for practices and competitions; additional sports medicine staff as needed.
Emergency Communication: Athletic trainer will have cell phone with him/her at all times and all coaches should have cell phones with them at all times.
Emergency Equipment
Automated external defibrillator(AED) located with athletic trainer or outside the Dining Hall in Kilby
Roles of First Responder
Immediate care of the injured or ill student-athlete
Emergency equipment retrieval
Activation of EMS-911 (follow guidelines as outlined in “contacting EMS” section
Directions for EMS to Front fields
Located at 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, Maryland 21144
Going North on Burns Crossing Road.
Turn right into Annapolis Area Christian School.
Follow the road past the first building to the second building on the right and enter through the main entrance to the Kilby Athletic Center where they will be further directed.