EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN INFORMATION:
An emergency is the need for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to give further medical attention and/or transport an athlete to the hospital. It is important in these situations that coordination between the athletic trainer, coaches, administrators and student responders be effective. Situations when 911 should be called are:
- An athlete is not breathing
- An athlete has lost consciousness
- Is it suspected that an athlete may have a neck or back injury
- An athlete has an open fracture (bone has punctured through the skin)
- Severe heat exhaustion or suspected heat stroke
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
The four basic roles within the emergency team are:
1.Establish scene safety and immediate care of the athlete: This should be provided by the most qualified individual on the medical team.
2.Activation of Emergency Medical Services: This may be necessary in situations where emergency transportation is not already at the sporting event. Time is the most critical factor and this may be done by anyone on the team. However, the person chosen should be someone who is calm under pressure, communicates well, and is familiar with the location and address of the sporting event.
3.Equipment Retrieval: May be done by anyone on the emergency team who is familiar with the types and locations of the specific equipment needed.
4.Directions of EMS to the Scene: One of the members of the team should be in charge of meeting the emergency medical personnel as they arrive at the site. This person should have keys to locked gates or doors.
The highest person in the chain of command who is present at a scene will be the designated person in charge, or leader. That person is responsible for deciding whether or not to call 911, instructing others how they may be of help and will be the person who stays with the athlete until EMS arrives.
1.Establish scene safety and immediate care of the athlete: This should be provided by the most qualified individual on the medical team.
2.Activation of Emergency Medical Services: This may be necessary in situations where emergency transportation is not already at the sporting event. Time is the most critical factor and this may be done by anyone on the team. However, the person chosen should be someone who is calm under pressure, communicates well, and is familiar with the location and address of the sporting event.
3.Equipment Retrieval: May be done by anyone on the emergency team who is familiar with the types and locations of the specific equipment needed.
4.Directions of EMS to the Scene: One of the members of the team should be in charge of meeting the emergency medical personnel as they arrive at the site. This person should have keys to locked gates or doors.
The highest person in the chain of command who is present at a scene will be the designated person in charge, or leader. That person is responsible for deciding whether or not to call 911, instructing others how they may be of help and will be the person who stays with the athlete until EMS arrives.
Chain of Command
Team Physician
Certified Athletic Trainer
Athletic Director
Administrator
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Other Athletes
Team Physician
Certified Athletic Trainer
Athletic Director
Administrator
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Other Athletes
Activating EMS:
Communication is a key to a quick, efficient emergency response. There should be a pre-established phone tree to ensure all relevant parties are notified. Access to a working telephone line or other device, either fixed or mobile, should be assured. There should also be back-up communication in effect in case there is a failure of the primary communication. At every athletic venue, home and away, it is important to know the location of a workable telephone.
- Call 9-1-1
- Provide Information:
- Name, address, telephone number of the caller
- Nature of emergency (medical or non-medical)
- Number of athletes
- Condition of athlete(s)
- First aid treatment initiated by the first responder
- Specific directions as needed to locate the emergency scene (i.e. use the entrance closest to the gym in the school)
- Other information requested by the dispatcher
Communication is a key to a quick, efficient emergency response. There should be a pre-established phone tree to ensure all relevant parties are notified. Access to a working telephone line or other device, either fixed or mobile, should be assured. There should also be back-up communication in effect in case there is a failure of the primary communication. At every athletic venue, home and away, it is important to know the location of a workable telephone.
Emergency Equipment:
All necessary emergency equipment should be at the site and quickly accessible. Personnel should be familiar with function and operation of each type of emergency equipment. The equipment should be checked on a regular basis to ensure good condition and equipment use should be rehearsed by all emergency personnel.
This type of equipment could include:
All necessary emergency equipment should be at the site and quickly accessible. Personnel should be familiar with function and operation of each type of emergency equipment. The equipment should be checked on a regular basis to ensure good condition and equipment use should be rehearsed by all emergency personnel.
This type of equipment could include:
- Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), AED pads, AED batteries
- Spine boards and straps (EMS provides)
- Crutches
- Splinting equipment
- Helmet removal equipment and their batteries, etc.
Medical Emergency Transportation
In the event that an ambulance is on site, there should be a designated location with rapid access to the site and cleared route for entering/exiting the venue. In the event that an ambulance is not on site, the medical personnel should be aware of average EMS response time for the athletic venue and distance from the venue to local hospitals.
Any emergency situation where there is impairment in loss of consciousness (LOC), airway, breathing, or circulation (ABCs) or there is a neurovascular compromise should be considered a “load and go” situation and emphasis placed on rapid evaluation, treatment, and proper transportation.
In the event that an ambulance is on site, there should be a designated location with rapid access to the site and cleared route for entering/exiting the venue. In the event that an ambulance is not on site, the medical personnel should be aware of average EMS response time for the athletic venue and distance from the venue to local hospitals.
- Marshfield Fire Department: 1.8 miles ~4 minutes
- Marshfield Police Department: 2.8 miles ~6 minutes
- South Shore Hospital: 13.5 miles ~18 minutes
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth: 17.4 miles ~21 minutes
Any emergency situation where there is impairment in loss of consciousness (LOC), airway, breathing, or circulation (ABCs) or there is a neurovascular compromise should be considered a “load and go” situation and emphasis placed on rapid evaluation, treatment, and proper transportation.
The Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) will cover the majority of athletic events at Marshfield High School. Activation of the EAP will be initiated by either the ATC, Athletic Director, or a member of the high school coaching staff. The following services will be available on the sideline for certain events:
In the event of an injury, contact the Athletic Trainer. In the event of an emergency that requires advanced medical personnel, when the Athletic Trainer is not present, the following procedures should be followed:
When a student-athlete is sent to the hospital via ambulance, a staff member should accompany the student unless a parent is available.
The importance of being properly prepared when athletic emergencies arise cannot be stressed enough. An athlete’s survival may hinge on the training and preparation of athletic healthcare providers. The emergency action plan should be reviewed at least once a year with all athletic personnel and local emergency response teams. Through development and implementation of the emergency plan, Marshfield High School helps ensure that the athlete will have the best care provided when an emergency situation does arise.
- Certified Athletic Trainer
- AED and airway masks
- Splints/slings/crutches/immobilizers
- Golf Cart
- Cell phone
- All coaches are certified in First Aid/CPR/AED
In the event of an injury, contact the Athletic Trainer. In the event of an emergency that requires advanced medical personnel, when the Athletic Trainer is not present, the following procedures should be followed:
- Call 911, this will go to the Mass State Police and will connect to Marshfield Fire Dept.
- May Call Marshfield Fire/EMS directly at 781-837-1313
- Marshfield Police Dept. 781-834-6655
- Call Parents to notify of incident
- Call/text/email Athletic Trainer so she can follow up with the injured athlete, parents and administrators if needed and complete the required injury report and insurance forms.
- Notify Athletic Director- Scott Madden
When a student-athlete is sent to the hospital via ambulance, a staff member should accompany the student unless a parent is available.
The importance of being properly prepared when athletic emergencies arise cannot be stressed enough. An athlete’s survival may hinge on the training and preparation of athletic healthcare providers. The emergency action plan should be reviewed at least once a year with all athletic personnel and local emergency response teams. Through development and implementation of the emergency plan, Marshfield High School helps ensure that the athlete will have the best care provided when an emergency situation does arise.
| Student Athlete Accident Report.pdf |