Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

APPENDIX L - Sample Emergency Action Plan
Given that there is an element of risk in all physical activities, an encounter with an injury is very
possible. Recognizing this fact, it is necessary to establish a plan of action for dealing with an injury
when it occurs. The key to the Emergency Action Plan is getting professional care to the injured
student athlete as quickly as possible and managing the situation until medical personnel arrive. For that
to happen efficiently and effectively, you should be prepared with an Emergency Action Plan.
The following is a sample:
You should know the following information:
1. Location of and access to the first aid kit
2. Location of AED
3. Location of and access to a phone
4. Phone number of ambulance and hospital
5. Directions, phone number and access routes to facility, e.g., gymnasium, pool, arena
6. Directions and best access routes to hospital
7. The whereabouts of a suitable and available means of transportation.
When an injury occurs:
1. Initially, when coming in contact with the injured student athlete, take control and assess the
situation. Exercise universal precautions related to blood/body fluids (see Appendix P).
2. Keep in mind the following:
• DO NOT MOVE THE INJURED STUDENT ATHLETE.
• IF A STUDENT ATHLETE CANNOT MOVE BY HIMSELF/HERSELF, DO NOT MOVE THE
BODY PART FOR HIM/HER.
3. Instruct any bystanders to leave the injured student athlete alone.
4. Do not remove the student athlete’s equipment unless emergency treatment is required, e.g.,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or artificial respiration (AR) or use of an automated external
defibrillator (AED).
5. Assess the injury. Evaluate the severity of the injury and decide if further assistance is required.
6. If an ambulance is not needed, decide what action is to be taken to remove the injured student athlete
from the playing surface.
7. If an ambulance is required:
a) Request assistance from another person
b) Have this person call an ambulance with the following information:
i. the nature of the emergency
ii. precise location, including address and access routes, e.g., closest cross streets
iii. the phone number of your location
c) Report back to confirm that the call has been made and give estimated time of ambulance arrival
d) Have one person go to the access entrance and wait for the ambulance.
8. Once the call has been placed, observe the injured student athlete carefully for any change in
condition and try to reassure the injured student athlete until professional help arrives.
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Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta - February 2012