Med. Emergency Response Protocol at Qualifiers

Author	Comment
clubcoach	Med. Emergency Response Protocol at Qualifiers	Lead	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 43 (04/03/08 7:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None After a very emotional trauma, which took place at last weeks NEQ in Baltimore, we are trying to call attention to how medical emergencies are currently handled at these Convention Centers that host hundreds of teams, thousands of athletes and thousands of spectators. Thankfully the athlete involved is alive and well, due in most part to a few well-trained parents who responded quickly to the gravity of the situation and worked together to keep the athlete from losing consciousness while assisting her in her effort to breathe. It was evident to anyone watching this medical emergency unfold that the response from the training staff lacked the proper sense of urgency. There also existed confusion among the staff as to who they should call, 911 direct or someone with the Convention Center. The bottom line is that the protocol in place was negligent to say the least, and the line of communication flawed. I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am that we're not discussing a life lost. Let's embrace this opportunity to make some serious changes to the Medical Emergency Response Protocol at these events. Below are some questions I want answers to,… so should you. What Medical Emergency Response Protocol is in place at these heavily attended National Qualifiers? Is this Protocol instituted by USA Volleyball or the Managing body of the venue hosting the event? If both organizations are involved, how do they work together, and what is the chain of command? Is there EMT personnel on-site? What, if any, life-saving equipment is on-site? What means of communication is used when tending to an injury/medical emergency? Why can't this protocol be outlined in the program? Our goal is to make sure that proper Medical Emergency Response Protocol is in place at these National Qualifiers along with life-saving medical equipment that can be administered by on-site EMT personnel. They may claim that this would be to costly,... but in reality,… it could prove more costly not to provide these on-site medical assurances. PLEASE, let's not wait for the loss of a life to spur our appeal that these services be put in place. Show your support on this issue by posting your reply. Thanks!! Last Edited By: clubcoach 04/03/08 3:51 PM. Edited 3 times.
flyonthewall		#1	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 376 (04/03/08 7:56 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	These are very good questions. And honestly, I had never even thought to wonder about them. Fortunately my kids are healthy---no asthma, no diabetes, no allergies, etc.. It seems what I see at these tournaments are the limb type injuries (sprained ankles, knees, shoulder, fingers). But I can see where there needs to be some type of policy in place and made known to all participating clubs. I guess if I were witness to an event that I was truly in fear for someone's life I would call 911 myself. That may be the wrong thing to do, but I would rather be the 5th caller than everyone thinking someone else had called. I am glad to know things worked out this time. And you have made me aware of something I need to be more concerned about before I send my player to another qualifier.
killip	911 connected to your area code	#2	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 121 (04/03/08 8:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	It's important to remember in any emergency that dialing 911 on a cell phone often connects you to your local (area code) emergency response team. If that is the case, they can relatively quickly connect you to the emergency response team where you are visiting, but it will take a few more seconds. When possible, it's always a better idea to call 911 from a land line.
vollydolly	Safety at Qualifiers	#3	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 119 (04/03/08 8:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	For the benefit of those who didn't see my reply included in clubcoach's previous post....I was at Big South a couple week's ago, and due to the fact we have a player with a heart condition for whom a defribrillator can be life-saving I went to the medical table to find out if they had one. They showed me the defibrillator and the doctor there said he knows how to use it. I asked him if this was usually at one of these tournaments and he admitted that "no, not really" but he thought it would be a "good idea" and sought one out (I believe he said from a paramedic he knew). I'm not sure I have the story exact to the details but this is the gist of what I was told. The person I talked to was there when I was there but we always played in the am wave so I'm not sure what happened in the evenings. I agree with clubcoach that published protocal would be good for all to know. Other simple things we can do: -if you are a coach at a smaller tournament always know the address of where you are playing so if you need to make that emergency call you're not wasting time on an address -know where the difibrillators are if you are playing at a school or other tournament location (usually ALL schools have them hanging somewhere....know ahead of time. And know how to use it! -know CPR/not a bad idea to have someone teach your team as well! -be bold and ask questions at large tournament venues, the more they know we are watching, the more they will pay attention to this stuff Thank you clubcoach for opening up this forum for discussion.
vb15fan	local emergency numbers	#4	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 66 (04/03/08 8:29 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Great thread to start! As a frequent chaperone of my daughter's team I make it a habit to find out what the local emergency services direct line is in case of emergency. Although 911 calls from a cell phone can be traced in some areas, most states calls go to the highway patrol first and they may be miles from the local services. I like to plug the direct number into my cell phone-that way if there is an emergency and I'm not near a land line (ie., on the road or in a large venue) I can call directly. On the subject of defribrillators, requirements vary from state to state. Some states have them in every public building, others have no such requirement. Our local high school has one only because funds were donated to aquire one. I like the idea of emergency protocols being outlined in the program...perhaps they could even list local emergency numbers as well. Last Edited By: vb15fan 04/03/08 8:32 AM. Edited 1 times.
bolleyvaller	1st Week MEQ	#5	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 4 (04/03/08 5:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Our team also had a very delayed reaction to what could have been a tragic situation. Our player thank God is fine. She came down hard on her head on the second day of play and was somewhat unresponsive. she was laying on her stomache waiting for medical help and the trainers fliped her over and started moving her head and neck....without mobilizing it first!!! After a good half hour down on the court they picked her up again with no mobilization and set her in a chair on the sidelines next to her mom....again still somewhat confused and unresponse. After at least an hour a stretcher showed up with what I am assuming was the EMTs and they slowly took our player away. Again thankfully our precious player was fine just a real hard knock on the head and a sore neck. A few hours later we heard over the speaker that asking that if you have a medical emergency not to call 911 yourself but to go to the trainer for help!!
bigtexbro	I am glad someone started this thread	#6	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2572 (04/03/08 6:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Bolleyvaller... I would have been very upset if they told me I couldnt call 911 to come find trainer. First off a cell phone is faster then anyone can walk to a trainer table. second a trainer isnt a medical doctor at all. I know this for fact My brother did something dumb once getting off school bus after he played football game . He jumped off the bus not using the steps there and hit his head on the door frame. So he seen the trainer and coach who sprayed his head with something and wrap his head in towel and sent him home. So he was walking home and was maybe 3 house from home and mom seen a towel around his head soak in blood. She took him to local hosp. he had 52 stichs put in his head. This was a trainers doing they dont have a medical back ground they just learn the basic first aids. I know because I was a trainer and know what they teach them . I would think at events like this they would have a emt on site. I know that most high school football games have them there. But there is alot of things that need to be looked into before you sign up for next one. I think ever state should have some law that if your going to have event like this you have to have emt there. I am so glad the players are ok and wish them fast track to the court again....
Tigger1		#7	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 120 (04/03/08 7:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Common sense applies when managing any emergency health problem. Remember your ABC's. While protecting the C-spine, ensure the Airway is patent. Check for adequate Breathing activity. Evaluate Circulation. Everyone should be able to check a pulse at the wrist. It should be strong, and even or regular. Anything wrong with A, B, or C requires immediate EMT attention and transfer to a medical facility. OTOH, if all of this is OK, then check your own pulse, because you have time. Call for help, but relax. It is best not to move an unconscious patient before the EMTs arrive, unless there is a professional skilled in C-spine stabilization. Know that the majority of damage to the spinal cord comes at the moment of impact, but still use caution. Finally, I take issue with the characterization of trainers as incompetent. Although licensure varies by state, they have a National Board for Certification that requires rigorous educational standards be met to be considered qualified. If your trainer is ATC, they have much more than the basic first aid. If you employ non-certified trainers, then your assesment could be accurate.
bigtexbro	tigger	#8	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2572 (04/03/08 10:31 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	sorry to rub you wrong . But most of what your talking about are ATC/L. There not trainers those of medical fields with a degree. But to be on the safe side I would want a EMT to look at my child since ATC/L dont have the back ground in moving people with spine problems. They are good to have but EMT can give drugs if need. Witch from my understanding a ATC/L cannot do. Plus a ATC/L is not train to save lives like a EMT is. So yes they are a little better to have then a flat out trainer but when comes down to it can they use a defribrillator. I would have to say no they dont have the training todo it. But I would want a EMT onsite not just a trainer or a ATC/L. Yes they can help with some things but not all things. All so checking for pulse in wrist in volleyball player not the place to ckeck it . But the kneck is the place to check it as for checking it in wrist vball players will give you fant pulse there as the kneck is stronger pulse closer to heart.
Tigger1		#9	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 120 (04/03/08 11:52 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	No offence taken. I'm sticking up for a lot of ATC's at the HS, JC, D1, 11, 111, and professional level with whom I have worked, and who I respect tremendously. Don't sell them short, they are trained to run events like these, not just show up for transport. The radial pulse should be easily palpable with a systolic BP above 80mm Hg. Below that level, a more central location such as the carotid, or femoral artery, would be more easily palpated down to 40mm Hg, but if you need to go there to find it, your patient is probably in some trouble.
bigtexbro	tigger	#10	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2572 (04/04/08 1:33 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I just have had people try it in the wrist and they missed it because there hyper and not looking for it that good. They might get a false pulse witch is there own. not who there working on . So thats why I say go to the kneck because it is hard to miss that one....and I am glad I didnt upset you . I hate to upset people but if I had the choice I would want EMT over act/L working on my kid if its that bad. But this is about the kids and we need the best for them is what I think ...So if it means to shell out more bucks we need to...The kids need to be safe is all I care about.
VolleyDad9	Venue Responsibility	#11	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 1551 (04/04/08 2:41 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Back to the question at hand. I would think when events are at the large convention centers that the organizers in concert with the administration of the venue should have emergency plans in place. Convention centers have 1000s of people on hand for events all the time and should have an emergency response plan. The organziers (the club running the event) should have a communications plan in place to coordinate with the convention center folks. From the Dallas Convention Center website: The Dallas Convention Center cares about you and your guests. Your safety and well-being are as important as your enjoyment of the event and our facility. With that in mind, three First Aid Rooms are located throughout the DCC and staffed when guests are on site. Medcor, Inc., a nationally recognized workplace health management firm, provides healthcare and first aid coverage for events held at the Convention Center. Your event plans and the number of expected guests will determine the Emergency Medical Service staff required, based on state and national standards. Fun? You mean Volleyball is supposed to be fun??
loganpkbt	thanks for this thread	#12	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 621 (04/04/08 2:03 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	and thank goodness the athlete in question is ok. I think that the individuals contracting with these convention center assume that the emergency response is in place & probably don't communicate to well to all parties the details of it. What particulars are in placevaries from facility to facility due to local standards as would the training and background of the inviduals involved. Also most don't meshed it together by running a few scenarios at the start of these events. USAV could come up with a could of dry run senario's the trainer's first responders could run at the start of an event to help this happen. As a frequent chaperone and nervous nurse I would always chat up the trainers at these events and would get various responses some good some bad some don't know (the worst) to questions I asked. I would like to see the following: 1) USAV needs to require of trainers and venues hired for event to meet with each other and submit to them their plan injuries and emergency response as a part of contracting their services. This protocol should be added to the coaches packet and distributed at the mandatory coaches meeting. It should also be available at the tournament desk, published in the program and individual copies shoulds also be available for free to anyone who wants one at the tournament desk and trainers table. Prior to the start of the tournament those in charge on site run mock emergency. Also a campus map of first aid stations and defibrillators and location of trainers should be posted by the tornament desk and trainer's table and printed in the program with address in bold and local emergency numbers. In addition, numbers and directions to the nearest medical facility should you need assistance but it is not a life threatening emergency. The EMS system is designed to have people - first aid teams. ACT/L and the like to have some basic knowledge of first aid CPR. Also to know where the fist aid/defibrillator is located. First on scene assess, supports with equipment on hand and activate the EMS system. Sometimes this seems like a very long time and first aid, EMS and medical folks are trained to take a methodical approach so that in the rush they don't overlook something or do the wrong thing. We all need to do are part sign up for a red cross basic first aid course. Learn or refresh your CPR skills and always vote yes on EMS tax levies.
A Texas Referee		#13	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 4 (04/05/08 8:56 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I sent an email to Austin Juniors Volleyball, who run the Lone Star Qualifiers. Paraphrasing the information I received. The convention/events centers they use provide a certain number of EMT personnel based on anticipated attendance figures. AJV rents Nextels that are distributed to key personnel, including the head trainers, head referee and other tournament officials. Usually all of these officials are wearing some sort of official shirts that make them easily identifiable. In Houston, they communicate directly with the Reliant Center Coordinator who will deploy an EMT to the location needed. An ambulance stays parked on Reliant drive for the duration of the event. They will be reviewing this information with the referees at the pre-tournament meeting. The procedures are similar in Dallas. Sounds like they have good plan in place. Hope they don't need to put it to use.
bigtexbro	last year	#14	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2572 (04/05/08 3:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I remb last in Dallas at Lone Star a girl going down with knee problem. Less then 5 min had past and EMT was there and wheel chair was there couple min later. This was fast and it was in a corner far from where they could come in. But I am glad to see the players are coming first and not the money.Plus there was alot of police last year helping people all the time and watching out for the players. I have to say I was over come with how things was run. This event was like a well oiled machine and knew what todo if something went wrong. I all so liked the fact if you need some medical help and wasnt a player they would help. I had to see them I got run over taking picture . I just couldnt get out of the way fast enough. lol Those girls can move lol But they got me looked over and gave me ice pack...they didnt even charge me for it..