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Extra-Curricular Athletics Safety Guidelines

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Extra-Curricular Athletics Safety Guidelines Extra-Curricular Athletics Safety Guidelines JUNE 11, 2019 School District 73 Kamloops- Thompson 1 Index Title Page Acknowledgements and Intent of the Safety Guidelines 4 Risk Management (General) 4 Generic Issues 5 Medical and Safety Considerations (General) 5-6 Introduction to Specific Sport/Activity Procedures 6-9 Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding 10-11 Badminton 12 Basketball 13 Cross-Country Running 14 Curling 15 Field Hockey 16 Flag Football 17 Football 18-19 Golf 20 Gymnastics 21-22 Mountain Biking 23-24 Rugby 25-26 Soccer 27 Swimming 28-29 Tennis 30 Track and Field (Discus, High Jump, Hurdles, Javelin, Pole Vault) 31-38 Track and Field (Shot Put, Track Events, Triple/Long Jump) 39-44 Volleyball 45 Wrestling 46-47 Ultimate 48 Appendices Index 49 2 Index Title Page Appendix A – Student-Athlete Code of Conduct 50 Appendix B-1 Parent Acknowledgement Form (Middle/Secondary) 51 Information to Parents 52 Appendix B-2 Elementary Student-Athlete/Parent Acknowledgement Form 53 Appendix C – Medical Consent Form 54-55 Appendix D – Concussion Management Procedures 56-62 (Context, Definition, Signs/Symptoms) 56-58 (Management Procedures for a Diagnosed Concussion) 59 (Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity Steps) 60-62 Appendix E – Tool to Identify a Suspected Concussion 63-64 Appendix F – Documentation of Medical Examination (Concussion) 65 Appendix G – Documentation for a Diagnosed Concussion (Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity Plan) 66-68 Appendix H – Emergency Action Plan 69-70 Appendix I – Lightning Protocol 71 Appendix J – Universal Precautions Blood and Bodily Fluids 72 Appendix K – Management of Asthma Protocol 73-74 Appendix L – Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) 75 Appendix M – Criteria for Non-District Employee Coaches 76 3 Acknowledgements The District acknowledges the work of the following members of the District Athletic Council in developing these Extra-Curricular Sport Safety Guidelines and their commitment to ensuring that the safety of our student-athletes is of paramount importance: Walt Kirschner (Chair), Annemarie Watts, Corey Yamaoka and Steve Scott Intent of the Safety Guidelines The primary responsibility for the care and safety of athletes rests with the School District and its employees. An important aspect in this role is recognizing the element of risk inherent in all physical activity and take action accordingly. It is important to identify all foreseeable risks and develop procedures that help minimize preventable accidents and injuries. Safety awareness, practiced by the coach, based on current information, common sense observation, action, and foresight is key in maximizing safety. Focusing attention on safe practices for each activity will minimize the element of risk. Safe practices, such as the use of logical coaching progressions, the inclusion of age-appropriate activities in program preparations and sound planning and coaching will guard against these risks. These procedures set out the minimum guidelines to be used by coaches and administrators in addressing the safety component of extracurricular athletics. Extracurricular athletics is defined as a school-sponsored, competitive program which: • Occurs outside of instructional time • Involves a selected school team/group • Involves a competition against another outside team/group Risk Management The following elements of risk must be taken into consideration by the teacher/coach: • The competition is age-appropriate for the athletes’ physical/mental abilities • The coach/supervisor has the knowledge/experience and certification (where applicable) to coach/supervise the activity safely • Consideration must be given to environmental factors (e.g. Site conditions, weather conditions) 4 Generic Issues • The Principal of each school is responsible for the extracurricular athletic program and for ensuring each coach is familiar with the school/district and B.C. School Sports coaching philosophy and expectations, as well as the safety guidelines outlined in this document. • All new coaches must go through an approval process by the Principal to determine the individual’s ability and suitability to coach the activity. The individual must have the knowledge, experience and, where appropriate, qualifications to safely coach the activity. • Prior to the athlete’s first game, completed and signed Student Athlete Code of Conduct, Parent Acknowledgement and Medical Consent forms must be submitted (See Appendices A, B and C). No athlete is permitted to participate in any game, including exhibition games, until the aforementioned signed forms have been submitted to the school. • Prior to the start of each season of play, coaches must ensure parents are made aware of the risks inherent in sport participation, as well as the procedures in effect with regard to injury prevention, treatment and return to participation following injury/suspected injury. Medical and Safety Considerations • At the beginning of each season, coaches need to be aware of the medical background and physical limitations of their athletes. This includes knowledge of athletes with heart disorders, asthma, severe allergies, anaphylaxis, epilepsy, concussion history, etc. The coach must have athletes’ medical information available at all practices and games. • Coaches will provide athletes and parents with the link to the CATT website and encourage them to access the free information/resources provided to parents/caregivers and players/participants in order to raise awareness with parents and athletes regarding the warning signs and care protocols surrounding concussions. • AED’s are located in every school in our school district. • When dealing with accidents/injuries follow the guidelines outlined in Appendix H. • Coaches will ensure an appropriately stocked first aid kit is readily accessible at all practices and games. • Universal precautions must be followed when dealing with situations involving blood and other bodily fluids (see Appendix J). • Coaches must take into consideration the temperature and weather conditions, previous training and the length of time athletes will be vigorously active in outdoor activities. • Lightning is a significant weather hazard. See Appendix I for safety procedures in the event of lightning activity. • Coaches must have a cell phone readily accessible. • Prior to teaching the skills of a sport/activity, coaches must identify the possible risks, demonstrate how to minimize the risks and set procedures for safe play. • Coaches will encourage parents to have a Student Accident Insurance Policy. 5 • Any modifications coaches make to these procedures and guidelines must RAISE the level of safety, not LOWER it. • Safety protocols and procedures regarding concussions must be communicated to athletes and parents to minimize and manage potential concussions. It is critical to refer to Appendices D, E, F and G for procedures and information on concussion identification, management and return to learn/physical activity protocol. • Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) refers to a variety of cardiac disorders which are often genetic and undiagnosed that can be responsible for sudden death in young, apparently healthy people. Because physical activity is a common trigger for SADS, it is important for coaches to recognize possible syndromes/warning signs. Refer to Appendix L for coach/parent information. • Extracurricular athletics have been categorized into two areas: Higher risk sports and Lower risk sports. Higher risk sports are characterized by: Greater potential for injuries with severe consequences Person-to-person and/or person-to equipment contact Uniqueness of equipment used Speed of action Protective equipment used Type of training required Type of supervision required • For Higher risk sports, these additional requirements must be met: Coaching qualifications CAC (Sport Specific) or attendance at a clinic or workshop provided by an instructor knowledgeable in the sport within the previous 5 years. The presence of an individual who takes responsibility for providing first aid to injured participants throughout the entirety of a practice or competition. Introduction to Specific Sport/Activity Procedures • Guidelines for each sport/activity are outlined according to the following key components: • Equipment • Special Instructions • Clothing and Footwear • Facilities • Supervision Equipment • When using equipment not listed, care must be taken to determine that it is safe for use and that it is size, mass and strength appropriate 6 • Prior to participation, coaches/supervisors must check that the protective equipment is being properly worn by the athlete • Athletes and parents must be made aware that equipment brought from home must be in safe playing condition. Eyeglasses require an eyeglass strap and shatterproof lenses for some activities. Mouth guards are also required for some activities. • Personal equipment must not be altered beyond the adjustments provided for in the original equipment. • Athletes must be informed not to share water bottles. • Athletes must be informed that they have a responsibility to report equipment problems and defects to the coach/supervisor. • All equipment must be checked regularly by the coach to determine that it is in good working order • Coaches must perform a visual check of equipment before each practice and competition and remove broken or unsafe equipment. • Helmets must meet recognized safety standard association guidelines, for example: Canadian Standards Association (CSA), U.S. Consumer
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