Plan For It: Is activity appropriate for age, fitness and skill level Provide proper warm up Adjust activities to meet individual differences Have an EAP (emergency action plan) see pp 23/24 CM Be aware of concussion protocols Inspect facilities prior to use (field, court, rink…) Have a properly supplied first aid kit on site Collect and have athlete’s medical information with the kit Ensure athletes wear proper fitting protective gear for your sport Plan for weather related risks (heat, humidity, cold, wet…) Highlight potential safety risks for each drill and inform athletes of risks Plan for adequate supervision during drills Be Safety Aware when planning practices, at games and arranging transportation (Err on side of caution)

Safety and Coaching Assignment Coaching Reference Manual Read pp 7 to 28 in the Ref Manual on Safety Answer the following to pass in on Friday: 1. What actions can a coach take to prepare for a safe season and practices:  Prior to the start of the season?  Planning for a practice? 2. What are Heat and Humidity Risks to sport? What actions can the coach take to manage and lessen the risks of heat/humidity injuries? 3. What are Cold Risks to sport? What actions can the coach take to manage and lessen the risks of cold injury? 4. Explain what an Emergency Action Plan is. What information does it cover and include? 5. A) What is a concussion? B) What are common causes of concussion? C) What are the common signs or symptoms of concussion? D) Identify the short term measures a coach should follow when an athlete suffers a concussion at a practice or game.

What actions can a coach take to prepare for a safe season and practices: Prior to the start of the season? Planning for a practice?  Prior to start of season preparations include: Medical forms and info collected (keep with First aid kit), First aid kit refreshed, parent meeting, EAP.  Planning for a practice preparations include: weather considerations, facility check, warm ups, supervision, appropriate drills to ability... teach safety,

What are Heat and Humidity Risks to sport? What actions can the coach take to manage and lessen the risks of heat/humidity injuries?  The risk of high Heat and Humidity during exercise is that your core temperature could get so high the body’s natural cooling mechanism is overwhelmed. Humidity impairs the ability of sweating to cool the body. The result is Heat stroke a potentially fatal condition. Coach can reduce risks by:  Clothing – be sure to have athletes wear light, breathable clothes  Wear hats  Shade and protection (tents), sun screen  Hydration prior, during and after event  Avoid planning practices in heat of day  Lighter practice workouts  Shorten workouts  Hydration again

What are Cold Risks to sport? What actions can the coach take to manage and lessen the risks of cold injury?  Exposure to extreme cold, or cool damp weather made worse by winds can result in torn muscles, frost bite or even hypothermia a potentially life threatening condition. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s natural heating mechanisms cannot keep the body core temperature warm enough and it drops out of control. The coach can reduce risk by:  Lengthen warm ups  Dress in layers and avoid any exposed flesh to extreme cold or wind  Use wicking clothing to help keep moisture away from skin  Provide blankets, wind screens or shelter for bench players  Avoid practices in coldest parts of day if possible  Wear hats (most heat lost from radiant heat off head)

Explain what an Emergency Action Plan is. What information does it cover and include?  EAP is a plan for emergency action in case of severe injury when EMT’s are needed.  EAP’s include:  Having a call person  Identifying person in charge (usually coach)  Having a cell phone at the ready with emergency numbers  Clear directions to your location  Having a first aid kit ready  Having medical profile and contacts at the ready

A) What is a concussion? B) What are common causes of concussion? C) What are the common signs or symptoms of concussion? D) Identify the short term measures a coach should follow when an athlete suffers a concussion at a practice or game. Short term management of concussion:  Unconscious must be transported to emerg dept (activate EAP)  Never allow athlete showing symptoms to return to activity  Don’t leave athlete showing symptoms to be alone, ensure they are monitored and recommend they get checked out by doctor  If athlete has recurring symptoms treat as serious and have them get checked out immediately.