BlazeSports Institute

for Applied Science

CDSS Level I Curriculum

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Managing Risks In Sport Training & Fitness Programs for Athletes with

Physical Disability

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We would like to thank Dr. Jackie McParlane for her

contributions to the content of this presentation.

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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Identify risk factors in sport

• Identify the process involved in Risk Management.

• Identify the nine Legal Duties of coaches

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PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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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

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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?

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WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT?

To produce the safest environment possible for your

athletes and others and to avoid litigation.

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PREVENTION

WHOWHEREWHENHOW

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WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT?

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WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT?

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks• Evaluate the Risks• Select an Approach to

Manage Risk• Implement the Approach

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks• Evaluate the Risks• Select an Approach to

Manage Risk• Implement the Approach

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks– General Hazard Categories

• Blood borne pathogens• Cardiac arrest• Child protection issues *• Heat related illness• Lightning safety• Sport related trauma (injury)• Vehicular accidents and injuries

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks– Program Specific Potential for Risk

• What programs do you offer and what unique risks are involved?

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks• Evaluate the Risks• Select an Approach to

Manage Risk• Implement the Approach

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Evaluate the Risks– Statutory Mandates– Industry Standards– Cost– Probability of Risk– Severity of Risk

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks• Evaluate the Risks• Select an Approach to

Manage Risk• Implement the Approach

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Select an Approach to Manage Risk– Repair equipment– Replace equipment– Purchase new/additional safety

equipment (AED, first aid kits,etc)– Staff training– Discontinue program

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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

• Identify the Risks• Evaluate the Risks• Select an Approach to

Manage• Implement the Approach

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

1. Properly plan the activity2. Provide proper instruction3. Warn of inherent risks4. Provide a safe physical environment5. Provide adequate and proper equipment6. Match your athletes appropriately7. Evaluate your athletes for injury and

incapacity8. Supervise the activity closely9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

1. Properly plan the activity

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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

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

2. Provide proper instruction

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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

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

3. Warn of inherent risks

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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

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PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

4. Provide a safe physical environment

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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

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THE VENUE• Venue Walkthrough

• Accessibility• Restroom Facilities• Water availability• Identify Hazards• Is there an AED?

• Card• Facility Address• Phone number• Location within the facility

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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. Water4. Snacks5. Cups & Straws6. Ice or ice packs7. Large Plastic Bags8. Tool kit that includes a tire pump & repair kit9. Athlete & Staff participation forms10. Burn Bag

THE VENUE/THE PROGRAM

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• 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

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• 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

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

5. Provide adequate and proper equipment

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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

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• 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

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• Sports Chairs– Properly sized, fitted, and maintained– Strapping– Proper use is taught– Anti-tip bar(s)

• Aids– Ramps– Rests– Gripping aids

EQUIPMENT

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

6. Match your athletes appropriately

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

Match your athletes appropriately

1. Match according to size, age, maturity, skill and experience

2. Modify drills or practice

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PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

7. Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity

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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

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• 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

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• 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

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

8. Supervise the activity closely

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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

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• 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

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• 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

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• Participation form– Emergency Information– Emergency Contacts– Medical History, Medications, Allergies

• Background check• Training

– Orientation & safety protocols– Certification for regular volunteers

VOLUNTEER

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• Participation form– Emergency Information– Emergency Contacts– Medical History, Medications, Allergies

• Responsible for athlete safety onfield of play

OFFICIALS

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COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES

9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance

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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

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• 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

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• Recognize when a medical emergency exists

• Quickly assess the situation• Call emergency services• Initiate First Aid

MEDICAL EMERGENCY AWARENESS & PROCEDURES

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WAIVER FORMS

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WAIVER FORMS

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• 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

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS VS.WAIVER FORMS

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PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS

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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.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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PROGRAM EVALUATION

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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Questions??

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Thank You

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