Emergency Action Plan

This guide is written to serve as a reference for all those who provide field coverage for practices and events of Capital University Athletics. It shall serve also as the primary tool for planned periodic review of such procedures so that all involved know what to do in the event of an emergency situation. Sport/facility specific plans may be found at the bottom of the page.

The Emergency Action Plan is set into motion when a serious or catastrophic injury occurs. A serious injury is one in which it is obvious that the student-athlete will need to be hospitalized and action taken must be immediate. Examples of this are: respiratory arrest, severe bleeding, obvious fracture, possible neck or back injury, or a serious head injury.  The plan calls for the following actions:

1. Athletic Trainer in charge (seniority, chain of command) attends to the injured student-athlete and evaluates the situation.
     
2. Athletic Trainer in charge instructs another athletic trainer or coach to call 911 for help. Give the 911 operator the following information: name and title; nature of injuries to the student-athlete; and location of injured student-athlete. Caller should be the last person to hang up.
      
3. Have someone meet the ambulance at the entrance to the stadium, gym, or other facility.
     
4. Call the Capital University Athletic Training Facility and inform a staff certified athletic trainer. If not present, notify the team physician and coach. If necessary, call parents and notify athletic department administration.

Emergency Situational Procedures

As in all medical situations, yield to the highest medical authority. It is our desire to control these situations in an orderly, efficient, and competent manner. For example: the athletic training student or coach shall yield to the staff certified athletic trainer, who in turn shall yield to team physicians. The staff certified athletic trainer shall be ready to make recommendations as to procedure and offer assistance to physicians.

Unconscious Student-Athlete Not Breathing

1. Log roll student-athlete if prone and open airway, be ready to administer CPR.
     
2. Send someone to call for help (911), then call Capital University Athletic Training Facility and inform staff certified athletic trainer who will notify team physician if not present.
     
3. Dispatch someone to help guide ambulance.

Unconscious Student-Athlete Breathing

1. Do not move student-athlete or allow student-athlete to move while assessing cause of unconsciousness. Proceed through primary and secondary survey.
     
2. Send someone to call for help (911), then call Capital University Athletic Training Facility and inform staff certified athletic trainer who will notify team physician if not present.
     
3. Continue to monitor vital signs.

Conscious Student-Athlete Prone Position

1. Don't move or allow the student-athlete to move.
2. Get the attention of the student-athlete and calm if necessary.
3. Determine the chief complaint and perform field exam.
4. Transport as appropriate for the situation.

Cervical Spine Injury

1. If spinal cord injury is suspected:
       a. Ask student-athlete if they have trouble breathing
       b. Ask student-athlete if they have any neck or spine pain, palpate
       c. Ask student-athlete if they have any burning, tingling, or numbness. Check sensation.
       d. Ask student-athlete if they can move their fingers and toes.
     
2. If positive to any of the above, stabilize the neck or spine and call for help.

Emergency Room Treatment

Capital University uses University Hospital East for emergency medical treatment. The hospital is located at 1492 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH. Get online driving directions to University Hospital East or recorded directions at 800-293-5123.

Non-Emergent Injuries

Non-Emergent injury needing medical attention. Examples include: possible fractures, lacerations needing suturing, orthopedic problems needing early medical attention, non-traumatic medical problems or illness. Refer student-athlete to a staff certified athletic trainer. If none are available call staff certified athletic trainer for advice.

For serious orthopedic problems such as a fracture, the staff certified athletic trainer will contact the team physician. If x-rays or other test are necessary then the student-athlete is referred to a medical facility by the team physician. If the injury is deemed more serious, it is the desire that the student-athlete be taken the Emergency Room.

For non-traumatic medical problems such as illness the student-athlete should be referred student health center or be seen by the team physician in the Athletic Training Facility by the staff certified athletic trainer.