1. BlazeSports Institute for Applied Science CDSS Level I Curriculum 1

2. Managing Risks In Sport Training & Fitness Programs for Athletes with Physical Disability 2

3. We would like to thank Dr. Jackie McParlane for her contributions to the content of this presentation. 3

4. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Identify risk factors in sport Identify the process involved in Risk Management. Identify the nine Legal Duties of coaches 4

5. DEFINITIONS Legal Liability – the responsibilities and duties between persons that are enforceable by the court Negligence – failing to fulfill your legal duty Contributory or Comparative Negligence 5

6. DETERMINING NEGLIGENCE Did you have a legal duty to the injured party? Did you fail to fulfill that duty? Was there injury to the party to whom you owed the duty? Did your failure to fulfill the duty cause the injury? 6

7. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT? To produce the safest environment possible for your athletes and others and to avoid litigation. 7

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9. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT? 9

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11. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 11

12. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 12

13. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 13

14. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 14

15. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 15

16. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 1.Properly plan the activity 2.Provide proper instruction 3.Warn of inherent risks 4.Provide a safe physical environment 5.Provide adequate and proper equipment 6.Match your athletes appropriately 7.Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 8.Supervise the activity closely 9.Provide appropriate emergency assistance 16

17. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 1. Properly plan the activity 17

18. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Properly plan the activity 1.Develop a season plan using progressions 2.Test athletes to determine skill level and capacity 3.Written practice plans 4.Adapt plans to individual needs/skills of athletes 5.Keep records of planning and testing 18

19. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 2. Provide proper instruction 19

20. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide proper instruction 1.Teach skills and rules with customary methods and development level of your athletes 2.Know current standards for sport and use them 3.Instructions should be clear, complete and consistent 4.Supervise all instruction delegated to others 20

21. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 3. Warn of inherent risks 21

22. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Warn of inherent risks 1.Warn athletes and parents of risks so they know, understand and appreciate them 2.Meet with team to explain risks, followed by repeated warnings in practices, program and competition 3.Use written notices, signs, releases, videos and repeated warnings to make use they understand the risks 4.Participation agreements 22

23. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 4. Provide a safe physical environment 23

24. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide a safe physical environment 1.Note and remedy hazardous conditions 2.Develop a facility/equipment inspection checklist 3.Remove/Change conditions and Report 4.Facility rules posted and reminded 5.Monitor changing environment 24

25. THE VENUE Venue Walkthrough Accessibility Restroom Facilities Water availability Identify Hazards Is there an AED? Card Facility Address Phone number Location within the facility 25

26. The “Basics” needed at each venue or program: 1.First Aid Kit or Athletic Training Kit (stocked) 2.Phone (that is charged & gets service) 3.Water 4.Snacks 5.Cups & Straws 6.Ice or ice packs 7.Large Plastic Bags 8.Tool kit that includes a tire pump & repair kit 9.Athlete & Staff participation forms 10.Burn Bag THE VENUE/THE PROGRAM 26

27. What are the potential weather emergencies in your area: Heat Tornado Hurricane Lightning Flooding Snow Emergencies Policy for canceling an event Communication plan to notify participants Evacuation routes and procedures WEATHER EMERGENCY AWARENESS & PROCEDURES 27

28. You are responsible for the safety of your spectators –Viewing area –Access to water –Protection from the environment –Emergency Medical Care Medical Care for Spectators –Assigned personnel for large events –Coaches, staff for smaller activities SPECTATORS 28

29. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 5. Provide adequate and proper equipment 29

30. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide adequate and proper equipment 1.Buy the best equipment you can 2.Teach athletes how to fit, use and inspect equipment 3.Inspect equipment regularly 4.Athlete use of personal equipment 5.Qualified people to install and repair 6.Warn athletes on hazardous equipment 7.Be aware of improving equipment standards 30

31. Implements –Shot put, bats, balls, etc. Appropriate size, weight Well maintained Protective Equipment –Helmets, masks, padding, eyewear, etc. Available Properly sized and fitted Use is supervised EQUIPMENT 31

32. Sports Chairs –Properly sized, fitted, and maintained –Strapping –Proper use is taught –Anti-tip bar(s) Aids –Ramps –Rests –Gripping aids EQUIPMENT 32

33. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 6. Match your athletes appropriately 33

34. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Match your athletes appropriately 1.Match according to size, age, maturity, skill and experience 2.Modify drills or practice 34

35. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 7. Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 35

36. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 1.Pre-participation physical exams 2.Keep medical histories on file 3.Use extraordinary judgment determining when injured athletes should not participate 4.Get both medical and parental approval for return to participation 36

37. General contact information Emergency Contacts Health Conditions Primary and Secondary Disability Medications and recent surgery Allergies Immunization status including tetanus Implanted devices Signed consent for participation If traveling: authorization to seek medical attention for a minor ATHLETE INFORMATION 37

38. Evaluation of athletes general health Evaluate fitness level Areas of predisposition to injury Areas requiring close supervision Areas in need of further medical evaluation Should be conducted every 2 years, and if any health condition changes ATHLETE PRE-PERFORMANCE EXAM 38

39. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 8. Supervise the activity closely 39

40. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Supervise the activity closely 1.Always provide supervision 2.Provide increase supervision when teaching new skills or when risk of injury increases 3.Use of educated coaches who know the sport 4.Do not condone reckless or overly aggressive behavior 40

41. Program Coordinator Support staff as needed for the size of program: Administrative Support Program Assistants Coaching Staff Sport Psychologist/Mental Skills Coach Team Physician Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist Orthotist & Prosthetist PERSONNEL FOR THE PROGRAM 41

42. Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies On-going training of staff –Orientation & safety protocols –Management of emergencies –On-going training of athletes –Certification programs COACHES & STAFF 42

43. Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies Background check Training –Orientation & safety protocols –Certification for regular volunteers VOLUNTEER 43

44. Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies Responsible for athlete safety on field of play OFFICIALS 44

45. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance 45

46. COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide appropriate emergency assistance 1.Obtain a consent form for all athletes 2.Protect from future harm 3.Provide appropriate first aid and/or CPR as needed 4.Activate your emergency plan 5.Transfer treatment 6.Complete injury report form 46

47. Minimum Requirement: –Coach(es) and/or staff must have Current training as a First Responder and Basic First Aid Current training in CPR & AED Develop a “Medical Committee” for your teams and large events Develop relationships with Emergency Response Teams/Services MEDICAL COVERAGE 47

48. Recognize when a medical emergency exists Quickly assess the situation Call emergency services Initiate First Aid MEDICAL EMERGENCY AWARENESS & PROCEDURES 48

49. WAIVER FORMS 49

50. WAIVER FORMS 50 Minors can not enter into a contract and parents can not waive minors right to sue Courts reject contracts to waive negligence Often considered a violation of public policy to require a release prior to participation in a sport

51. PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS VS. WAIVER FORMS 51

52. PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS 52 Not a contract, but a signed document stating your athletes: Understand the dangers inherent in the sport; Appreciate the consequences of the risk involved, including the risk of injury and death; Know the rules and procedures and the importance of following them; Knowing all this, request to participate in the sport.

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54. Thank You 54