- The director and many coaches in attendance at the practice or game are CPR certified. If an automated external defibrillation AED device is available, supervisory staff should be trained in its proper use.
- All coaches should have access to a telephone as a means of communication to emergency services.
- All coaches have their squad's necessary forms such as general information forms to contact parents, medical allergies notices, medical release forms, etc.
- In an emergency situation, there will be directors on hand to help coaches complete their task with a peer and helps account for a situation where one of those assigned to a task is the injured party or is not present.
- The coach should stay with the injured athlete to supervise and attend to their needs if their parent or guardian is not present. Once emergency personnel have left with the injured athlete, there another coach or director must remain with the team to remain in a supervisory role. Once the team is properly dispersed or other supervision is in place, and the parents and administration have been made aware of the situation, then the director or coach can join the athlete wherever emergency services are being held if no parent is present.
The Plan-AssignmentsOnce it has been established that this is an emergency situation, the following steps should be taken:
- The coach or director should stay with the injured athlete. The injured athlete is the most important person needing supervision. Any necessary first aid procedures should be taken and the injured athlete should be observed for any changes that warrant assistance.
- At least two participants should call 9-1-1 or another local emergency number if 9-1-1 is not an available option.
- At least two participants should be assigned to keep other cheerleaders or parents from entering the area so that a scene is not created that will hamper emergency efforts.
- At least two participants should be assigned to be stationed at various points along the path an ambulance and emergency personnel will use to access the injured cheerleader. The role of each of these groups is to visually cue the emergency personnel and direct them to the injured cheerleader via the next group up the path.
- Any remaining participants should keep back from the injured cheerleader to allow for emergency procedures to be administered and to minimize the psychological effects of comments or concerned looks by the injured athlete’s peers.
If the emergency requires transportation in an emergency vehicle, be sure to have proper supervision of the remaining team before leaving with the injured athlete.
All UAYCheer parents are required to stay at the practice or game site per program rules. However, if they are not present or locatable, we will immediately contact the injured participant’s parent or guardian with a summary of the situation and the location where their child is being transported. Once the remainder of the team has been properly dispersed to their parents, guardians or other approved supervision has been provided, the coach can make their way to see the injured athlete and check on their progress.