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Injury Prevention and Emergency Care Guide

When and How to Call for Emergency Help

June 16, 2005

Knowing when and how to call for emergency medical help (9-1-1 or the local emergency number) can save lives.

Knowing when and how to call for emergency medical help (9-1-1 or the local emergency number) can save lives.

Knowing when and how to call for emergency medical help (9-1-1 or the local emergency number) can save lives.

WHAT COACHES SHOULD KNOW
  • The most important step a coach can take for an injured player who is unconscious or has some other life-threatening condition is to call for emergency medical help.
  • Make the call quickly and return to the injured player. If possible, send someone else to make the call.
  • Be sure that you or another caller follows these four steps:
    • Call the local emergency number. The number is 9-1-1 in many communities. Dial O (the operator) if you do not know the number in the area.
    • Give the dispatcher the necessary information. Answer any questions the dispatcher might ask.
    • Do not hang up until the dispatcher hangs up. The EMS dispatcher may be able to tell you how best to care for the injured player.
    • Return and continue to care for the injured player.

If a player seems ill or complains about feeling ill, or has been injured, the coach needs to assess the player to determine if a medical team is needed. If the coach suspects the situation warrants it, he should call for emergency medical help (9-1-1 or the local emergency number).

The most important step a responder can take in an emergency is to call for medical help. To determine if this is necessary, look for several signs, including unconsciousness; trouble breathing; pain; pressure or discomfort in the chest; severe bleeding; vomiting or passing of blood; seizing from a diabetic emergency; severe headache; injuries to the back, neck, or head; possible broken bones; or any other signals that the athlete is at risk. If one or more of these signs exist, have someone call while the coach cares for the injured player.

When calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number, give the dispatcher the necessary information. Answer any questions the dispatcher might ask. The dispatcher needs to know:
  • The location of the injured player
  • The name of the responder
  • What happened
  • Number of people involved
  • The condition of the injured player
  • What help has been given.

Do not hang up the phone until the dispatcher hangs up. Many dispatchers are also trained to give instruction before EMS arrival, so they can assist with certain life-saving skills, such as rescue breathing or the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Coaches need to know the signs of an emergency. Once it is determined that help is needed, the coach or responder should call 9-1-1 for help and give the proper information. This simple call can save an injured player's life.

MORE READING
American National Red Cross. (2002). Community first aid and safety. San Bruno, CA: StayWell.

The evaluation of any athlete, whether as a part of health evaluations prior to activity or as a diagnosis of an injury as the consequence of sports activities, is specific to that individual and the history and current state of the individual presented. Advice, diagnosis and treatment is individualized according to numerous factors, including patient health and age information, medical history and symptoms. All athletes should be cleared by a physician or other appropriate medical professional before engaging in physical activities and, after injury, diagnosis and treatment, for return to play.