Abstract
Fatalities within the athletic population seem to be annual incidences in adolescents and young adults. Leading causes of death center on sudden cardiac death, traumatic brain injury, and exertional heat stroke as well as the possible prevalence of exertional sickling. Emergency action plans (EAP) are a vital component of the health and safety of athletes at practice and during competition. The EAP is the primary document that facilitates emergency preparedness and responses providing essential critical care. The need for venue-specific EAPs contributes to the success of emergency care being delivered when a critical incident evolves. Stakeholders should have a comprehensive understanding of the development, implementation, and coordination of EAP procedures through education and rehearsal. Pre-event medical meetings should be conducted to review planning procedures and check equipment. Post-catastrophic or critical care incident debriefing occurs following the emergency to foster improved management of immediate critical care. Updates on evidence-based practices assist in guiding athletic and medical personnel through the latest EAP recommendations to support the effective management of emergency care in sports.
Presenters
Richard BomgardnerProgram Director of Athletic Training, Human Performance Studies, Wichita State University, Kansas, United States Lindsay Luinstra
Assistant Professor, Human Performance Studies, Wichita State University, Kansas, United States Daniel Sigley
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, Human Performance Studies Department - College of Applied Studies, Wichita State University, Kansas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Emergency Action Plan; Athlete Safety; Critical Care
