Transcript Emergency Procedures: On-The

RISK MANAGEMENT
THE EMERGENCY
PLAN
Reduce risk of injury and litigation:
Have an Emergency Plan & Practice It!
• Pre determined actions in the event of
an emergency:
• Procedures need to be posted and a
card in the kit with address of facility
and directions to event.
EQUIPMENT
Two types of equipment are to be considered:
•Facility-related
•For the pool; guard chair, life line and poles.
•For the field; goal posts, charging sleds and
nets.
•For the weight room; benches, plates and bars
•Personal protective equipment.
•Padding, masks, helmets, worn by participants
while engaged in athletic activities.
FACILITIES
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Follow a regular system of inspection of facilities.
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Follow a regular system of inspection of equipment.
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Ensure that equipment is purchased from reputable
manufacturers and meets current CSA safety
standards.
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The appropriate frequency of these inspections is to be
determined prior to the start of the sports season.
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The coaches/supervisors of each activity should,
ultimately, be responsible to see that equipment safety
checklists are filled out regularly, and problem areas
addressed.
SAFETY IN SUPERVISION
AND INSTRUCTION
When supervising and instructing participants,
coaches/instructors should consider the
following:
1. Is the athletic activity suitable to the age, ability and condition of
the participant?
2. Has the participant/athlete been progressively trained and
coached to do the activity properly and to avoid danger?
3. Is the equipment adequate and suitably arranged?
4. Is the athletic activity appropriately supervised by qualified
personnel?
5. Has the participant/athlete been informed of the inherent risks
involved in participation in particular activity?
SAFETY IN SUPERVISION
AND INSTRUCTION
The participant/athlete must be made aware of the
inherent dangers of sporting activity.
This can be accomplished by;
•
Instilling awareness of the risks of participation,
•
Informing of the mechanics of catastrophic
injury,
•
Informing of the limited capabilities of the
facilities and the equipment,
•
Making participants/athletes aware that some
injury may be inevitable,
•
Informing participants/athletes that they have
some responsibility for their own safety and the
safety of others,
•
Informing athletes it is their responsibility to
report hazards or potential hazards in
facilities and equipment.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
AND PROCEDURAL POLICY
The development of general administrative and
procedural policies should focus on two
aspects:
•
Preventive measures;
•
Accident procedures.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Hiring Policies
Administrators should establish minimum qualifications
for-those individuals involved in the supervision, and
instruction of athletics activities (eg. coaches, activity
instructors, trainers, lifeguards). Such qualifications could
be based on certification guidelines as established by the
various sport bodies.
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS
Waiver/Consent Forms
• A waiver form seeks to inform the participant of the
dangers involved in athletic activity and to minimize
liability accorded to the administrator, institution, and
supervisor for injuries sustained by the participant while
enraged in organized activities.
• A separate issue is the use of facilities and programs by
those under the legal age. In this case, a
waiver/consent form signed by the parent or guardian
will ensure that parents are aware and approve of the
athletic activities of their children.
• A lawyer should review all waiver/disclaimer clauses.
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS
Health Status & Health Examination Forms
• Where possible, it may be desirable to screen
participants for health or medical problems that in
some way may limit their ability to participate.
• The information in these forms will enable the
administrator to appraise the participants' medical
eligibility for participating.
• With this information, first-aid and medical treatment
could proceed with a minimum of delay.
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS
Participant Questionnaire
An alternative to the burdensome requirement of
medical examinations is the participant questionnaire.
Such a questionnaire should contain at the very least
the following information;
• the skill level of the participant,
• the physical and mental preparedness of the
participant,
• the medical insurance coverage - the type,
insurance number and expiry date.
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS
Signage
Where appropriate, athletic and recreation
department managers should post signs to warn
participants of the inherent dangers of athletic
participation.
Two types of signage are generally recommended:
• Warning participants of the inherent risks involved
in physical activity and/or disclaiming the
organization’s liability;
• Outlining emergency procedures.
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
Suggested policies for medical and
health issues are as follows;
• an annual medical examination is mandatory,
• the range of medical tests performed must be
appropriate for the physical activity,
• all participants are required to submit a detailed
medical history.
ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
Accident Report Forms
•
Serve as an aid to simplify the investigation of
accidents,
•
Serve as evidence in the event of a lawsuit,
•
Help in clarifying situations where legal liability is in
question.
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Provide information on the following;
•
all injuries which resulted from a
sporting activity and required medical
treatment,
•
equipment problems,
ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
Accident Report Forms incorporate the
following information;

time and place of occurrence
 activity identification,
 nature and description of the
accident,
 participant complaints,
 mechanism of injuries,
 medical diagnosis and
disposition,
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actions and first aid
measures taken,
factors contributing to the
accident,
the supervisor on duty,
names, addresses, and
telephone numbers of at
least two witnesses.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO
THE RISK OF INJURY IN SPORT
Extrinsic Factors:
• Exposure to an injury
situation
• Potential hazards and
unique risks of the sport
(classification of sport)
• Position played
• Playing time (duration
of game)
• Environment
• Type and condition of
playing field
• Weather conditions
• Time of day
• Crowd control
• Laxity of officials
• Competitive level
• Equipment
• Amount of practice and
training
• Protective equipment
• Footwear
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING OT
THE RISK OF INJURY IN SPORT
Intrinsic Factors
• Age
• Innate motivation
• Gender
• Innate discipline
• Neuromuscular,
structural, and
performance aspects
• Innate skill level
• Mental and
psychological aspects
• Past experience in
sports
• Innate intelligence
• Need to take risks of
injury
• Innate creativity
• Incidence of injury
SUMMARY

Most important aspect of Emergency Care of
the injured athlete is to have an Emergency
Plan, and the second most important is to
practice it.
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Expect the unexpected and always be
prepared for emergencies.
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Reduce risk of injury and litigation with a plan.
PROTECTIVE SPORTS
EQUIPMENT
Chapter 6
INTRODUCTION
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Modifications and improvements in
protective equipment for sports continues to
occur.
Protective equipment is generally
recognized as a viable method of preventing
both initial injury as well as re-injury.
Currently there is a need for better
standards and rules related to the design,
selection and use of protective equipment.
PROPERTIES OF PROTECTION
Dispersion of forces
Deflection of forces
Absorption of forces
LEGAL CONCERNS
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Increased Litigation
Product Liability
Avoiding Litigation Related to Equipment
• Buy best possible from reputable manufacturers
• Follow manufacturers directions “to the letter”
• Maintain equipment properly and warn
participants about dangers of improper use
• Routinely inspect and replace defective equip.
HEAD PROTECTION
Football Helmets
• CSA Certification
• must be checked prior to each game for
exposed metal, missing or damaged hardware
• routine checks for proper fit
• all padding in place
• Chin strap secure
HEAD PROTECTION
Hockey Helmets

Padding should not fall out and should be soft
 Must have CSA approval sticker
 No other stickers on the helmet except approved
number stickers
 Proper fit is essential
 Fit includes snug chin strap
 Face shields should not impede vision
HEAD PROTECTION
Face Protection
 Throat and Mouth Protection
 Ear and Eye Protection
 Neck Protection
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TRUNK & THORAX PROTECTION
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Importance of Chest Protection
Football Shoulder Pads
Breast Protection / Support
Rib Protection
Hip, Buttocks & Tail Pads
Groin and Genitalia
FOOTWARE & ANKE SUPPORTS
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Shoes
Commercial Foot Pads
Ankle Braces
• Spat-type braces
• Air Stirrup
• Others
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Shin and Lower Leg
Thigh and Upper Leg
SUMMARY
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Athletic Trainers should know how to select
and properly fit protective equipment for all
parts of the body in a variety of sports.
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Head protection, especially the fitting,
maintenance, and proper use of football
helmets, should be a major liability concern.