An emergency action plan is designed to help coaches, volunteers & all other members to respond to emergencies in a clear and responsible manner.

Emergency Contact Information:

Emergency Phone Number: 9-1-1

Non-Emergency Phone Number: (Fairhope Police Department) 251-928-2385

Local Hospital:

Thomas Hospital

251-928-2375 750 Morphy Ave.

Fairhope, AL 36532

Emergency 24 Hours

Urgent Care Centers:

Urgent Care of Fairhope 251-278-6795

8096 Twin Beech Rd. Suite 150 Fairhope, AL 36532

Hours:   Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm/Saturday 9am-2pm

Club Representatives:

President: John Cocke 404-840-7595

Director of Coaching: Declan McSheffrey 516-238-6773

Club Admin: Jacque Boyer 251-751-8104

Ambulance Services:

Medevac Alabama Inc. 28740 US-98 #11 Daphne, AL 36526 251-348-764

Location: Fairhope Soccer Complex

18383 County Rd. 13

Fairhope, AL 36532

EMS enter at South Driveway Gate

 

AED IS LOCATED IN COMPLEX CONFERENCE ROOM—DOOR WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING SOCCER HOURS

  1. SEVERE WEATHER:
  • If lightning is detected approximately 10 miles away or less, club officials will initiate clearing the fields immediately.
  • Members will hear three (3) short blasts from an air horn or a loud whistle.
  • ALL members MUST seek immediate shelter, preferred to return to your car.  Leave bulky items behind. Once ALL CLEAR, you may return to pick them up.
  • The club official will monitor the severe weather threat for 30 minutes. DO NOT LEAVE SHELTER OR CAR. If it’s been half an hour since thunder, it’s safe to go outdoors. Outdoor activity may resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts every time lightning flashes or thunder sounds.
  • When severe weather conditions no longer exist after 30 minutes, we will communicate--ALL CLEAR
  • If severe weather conditions continue, we will inform you that ALL ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED

Warning signs of a lightning strike:

Feeling the hair stand on end

Skin tingling

Hearing crackling noises

If these occur, assume the lightning safe position if unable to seek immediate shelter:

Crouch on the ground as low as you can

Put all your weight on the balls of your feet

Keep your feet together

Lower head and cover your ears

Do not lie flat on the ground

  1. INJURIES:
  • If an injury occurs, control the environment so no further harm occurs (stop all athletes)
  • Assess situation
  • ACITVATE EAP if the following occurs:
    • No Pulse
    • No Breathing
    • Bleeding Profusely
    • Impaired Consciousness
    • Injuries to Back, Neck, Head
    • Major Trauma to a Limb
    • Cannot move or Feel Limbs
    • Seizure
    • Heat illness: Change in facial color or appearance, disorientation, or loss of consciousness.
    • When you believe you should

How to Activate EAP?

  • Call 9-1-1 or tell someone to call and relay the information about injuries.
  • Provide First Aid: STABILIZE victim to the best of your knowledge.
  • Gather facts by talking to the injured person and anyone who witnessed the incident
  • Stay with the injured person and try to keep him/her calm
  • Direct someone to the street side of the field to direct emergency vehicles to the incident

Calling 9-1-1:

  • Staying calm can be one of the most difficult, yet most important, things you do when calling 9-1-1
  • Listen and answer the questions asked. By doing this, it helps the call-taker understand your situation and will assist you with your emergency until the appropriate police, fire, or medical units arrive.
  • The individual calling 9-1-1 must be aware that the 9-1-1 center they are speaking with may not be familiar with the area. Along with the address, try to provide geographical information to the 9-1-1 center like landmarks, cross street signs and buildings, and the name of the city or county you are in. Knowing the location is vital to getting the appropriate police, fire, or EMS units to respond. Providing an accurate address is critically important when making a 9-1-1 call.
    • EXAMPLE: We are located at Fairhope Soccer Complex 18383 County Rd 13. Corner of Manley Rd & County Rd 13.  Fields 1-3 are North & Fields 6-9 are South.  Fields 4-5 are in the center of the soccer complex

3.CARDIAC:

Non-contact collapse of an athlete, coach, referee, or bystander is presumed to be sudden cardiac arrest. While not common, an immediate and appropriate on-site response with bystander intervention is critical for a potential positive outcome.

 

Hands Only CPR with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)

STEP 1: Identify the collapsed individual.

STEP 2: Call for help & Call 911. Send someone for an AED if possible.

STEP 3: Once the AED arrives, apply the pads while still doing CPR.

STEP 4: Check for a pulse and breathing.

STEP 5: Begin Chest Compressions (continuous) if no pulse is found.

STEP 6: If no AED is present, continue CPR until EMS arrives. Switch with someone every 2min if possible

4.RESPIRATORY: Asthma is the most common breathing problem that occurs with exercise. Another possible cause for a respiratory emergency is an allergic reaction.

  • Asthma is defined by airway obstruction due to a combination of: Inflammation (irritation & swelling) of the lining of the airways, bronchospasm (tightening or narrowing or the muscles that surrounds the airways) &/or mucus production.
    • If the players parents have a prescribed inhaler, the player themselves or the parent should administer the fast-acting rescue inhaler. If player does not respond to prescribed inhaler, Call 9 1 1
  • Allergic Reaction is defined by the body’s immune system exaggerated response to an allergen (foreign invader). Symptoms include shortness of breath, sensation of a closing airway, itchy, watery eyes & skin, hives, loss of consciousness (typically due to low blood pressure)
    • In an allergic reaction setting, the effected individual may have an Epi-Pen. If player does not respond to prescribed Epi-pen, Call 9 1 1

5. CONCUSSION: A concussion can be difficult to recognize on the field. Most occur without a loss of consciousness or an obvious sign that something is wrong with a player’s brain function. They can occur at any time throughout games or practice, as a blow to the head or body from contact with the ground, the ball or another player.

 Changes in brain functions:

Unaware of game (opposition colors, score of game, last play)

Confusion

Amnesia (does not recall events prior to the hit or after the hit)

Drastic changes in alertness

Does not know time, place or date

Slowed responses to questions or conversation

Decreased attention and concentration

Mental and emotional changes:

Depression

Anxiety

Anger

Irritability

Emotionally unstable

Physical changes:

Headache

Dizziness

Nausea

Unsteadiness/loss of balance

Feeling “dinged” or stunned or “dazed”

Seeing stars or flashing lights

Ringing in the ears

Double vision

 An athlete who experiences a blow to the head or body should immediately be removed for play and should not return to play until he/she is evaluated. When in doubt, the athlete should sit out. Have a health care professional evaluate the athlete immediately. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself.  Never rush a return to play. A return to play should only occur after an athlete has been cleared by a medical professional. If you rush the return, a player is at significantly higher risk for more problems in the future.

6. HEAT RELATED ILLNESS: Extreme heat can impact players' health and safe play. Proper hydration and knowing when you need to drink are critical, to help prevent many injuries and illnesses, from muscle cramps to heat stroke. Players should drink water before, during and after a game or practice, which means coaches should make sure there is adequate water available.

Various Stages of Heat Related Illnesses:

  • Heat Stress-Cool moist skin, dilated pupils, thirsty, tired & weakness
  • Heat Exhaustion-Heavy sweating, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, weakness, dizziness, headache, syncope (fainting)
  • Heat Stoke-Red, hot skin, confusion, altered level of consciousness, irritability/aggression, weakness, syncope (fainting)

Early signs and symptoms of heat illness include weakness or fatigue, headache, nausea and dizziness
•   Altered mental status, such as confusion, irritability, aggressive behavior, dizziness
•   Slurred speech
•   Hallucinations
•   Loss of balance, falling down
•   Throbbing headache
•   Body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
•   Complaining of chills, while skin may be warm to the touch

Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and exertional heat stroke (EHS), can be serious and potentially life-threatening conditions which can be brought on or intensified by physical activity. Recognizing the signs and symptoms as early as possible allows for treatment and rapid recovery with hydration and cooling down the individual. Preventing heat related illness is the best medicine. It may become important to adjust training, match play and hydration breaks when playing in warmer climates and during extreme temperature conditions.

  • Monitor environmental conditions using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) device or Heat Index and make practice modifications (e.g., increase in the number and duration of hydration breaks, shortening practice, postponing practice/competition until cooler parts of the day—8-11am or after 5pm)

HEAT ILLNESS (HEAT EXHAUSTION, HEAT CRAMPS)

  • Remove from training and source of heat
  • Cool in a shaded area using ice towels
  • Provide access to fluids/electrolytes and encourage rehydration

EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE---Is a medical emergency

  • Immediately Call 9 1 1 and prepare hospital for heat related emergency
  • Athlete may have confusion or altered mental status and a rectal temperature >104°F
  • Remove excess clothing/equipment and immediately begin cooling the athlete by placing them in an ice-water-tub
  • If no tub is present, rotate cold wet ice towels (every 2-3 minutes over the entire surface of the body or as much as possible.