Powerlifting Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Section D
Improving Athlete Performance
Medical Emergency Awareness
The Special Olympics coach will recruit athletes
and complete and submit all required medical and
registration materials by established deadlines. The
following checklist will ensure that coaches and
volunteers are prepared to deal with a medical
emergency at an event or training site.
1 . C o a ches and ch ap e rones should be awa re of at hl
e t e s ’p re - ex i s t i n gmedical problems, such as diabetes,
epilepsy, or allergic reaction to a bee sting.
2. Coaches and chaperones should have ready
access to the Athlete/Parent Release Forms, which
give permission for medical treatment in case of
emergency.
3 . Coaches and chaperones should have these
waivers on hand at each of the training sessions
and competitions.
4 . A well-stocked first-aid kit also should be on
hand at the training sessions and competitions.
5. Coaches should know how to use the materials
in the first-aid kit.
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6. If a medical emergency occurs at a training site,
coaches should know the location of the nearest
telephone to call for assistance. If that phone is in a
l o cked ro o m , the coach should have a key or know
if a custodian is on duty and where to find him or
her. Ask if someone nearby has a cellular phone.
7 . Should a medical emerge n cy occur at an eve n t
or tra i n i n g site, there should be an adequate number
of assistant coaches or volunteers available to
stay with other team members while medical emergency
procedures are taken.
8. Should a medical emergency occur at a competition
or eve n t , e a ch coach and volunteer should
k n ow the emerge n cy plan: whom to contact, location
of contact, method of communication, and follow-up
procedures. An emergency plan should be
developed and included in the pre-event training of
each volunteer.
9. Coaches or chaperones should have a list of the
names and phone numbers of the parents or teachers
to call in the event of a serious injury.
1 0 . L o c ate the nearest hospital to the training or
competition site. Determine if that is where an
ambulance will most likely take the injured athlete.
Information to Give to the
Emergency Operator
1. Caller’s name
2. Name of site and location of intersecting streets
3. Injured person’s location at the site
4. Type of injury