NJSIAA wants to encourage its member schools to establish an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specific to interscholastic athletic events. The risks of catastrophic injury and sudden death exist during both practice and competition. The purpose of the EAP is to facilitate a prompt, efficient, coordinated response in the case of a medical emergency. Member school districts should have EAPs in place that address medical emergencies among student-athletes, staff, officials, and spectators. Routine planning, preparing, and practicing are the keys to achieving success in the case of an actual emergency. Below is a list of important resources to assist our member schools.
NFHS High School Today Article (January 2022) – “Emergency Action Plans: Practice Makes Perfect”
https://www.nfhs.org/uploadedfiles/3dissue/HSToday/2022issues/january2022/index.html
NFHS High School Today Article (April 2022) – “Mental Health Emergency Action Plan – Necessity for Schools”
https://www.nfhs.org/uploadedfiles/3dissue/HSToday/2022issues/april2022/index.html
Anyone Can Save a Life – Emergency Action Planning Program
http://www.anyonecansavealife.org/
NFHS “The Collapsed Student” Online Course from NFHSLearn.com
https://nfhslearn.com/courses/the-collapsed-athlete
NATA Position Statement: “Emergency Planning in Athletics”
https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/emergencyplanninginathletics.pdf
KSI: “Emergency Action Plans”
https://ksi.uconn.edu/prevention/emergency-action-plans/
Medical Time Out (MTO)
NFHS has issued guidance surrounding the importance of a medical time out (MTO). The MTO ensures that your venue/team-specific, written and rehearsed Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in the hands of all those actually onsite and responsible for potentially implementing it. The intent and purpose of focusing on the Medical Time Out is to simultaneously prepare school administrators, athletic trainers, coaches, EMS providers, team physicians, game officials and anyone else designated as responsible for the well-being of students to be aware, educated and prepared. Communication and readiness among these individuals can make the difference between a positive outcome and a negative experience if and when an injury or incident occurs.
Below is a recent article entitled "Pre-event medical time out" from the British Journal of Sports Medicine which provides further information.
