Every fitness premise should have a well concept out and practiced crisis plan in place. Emergencies happen without warning, no two are ever alike and waiting until they happen leaves you and your premise open to liability.
For the past 5 plus years I have been a Paramedic in a busy urban Ems system. I have responded to calls in numerous fitness facilities and other communal buildings and schools. The general rule of thumb is to first panic, regroup and panic again. This is where a clear and practiced crisis plan is paramount.
The average man that is not aware of how 911 works truly makes our job much more confusing. Your plan should include a designated man to make the 911 call. This should be a clear and early step in the crisis plan. Do not rush to give the 911 dispatcher info, they will gain it from you in an orderly fashion. Please perceive that as the dispatcher is talking to you other dispatcher is sending an ambulance, this is a well coordinated process. designate a man to meet and or wave in the ambulance, understand that in most areas first responders will precede the ambulance, both need to be waved in to the best location to way the patient.
Emergency cards for each member or client in your premise should be ready to give the Ems crew. If the sick person is unconscious or unable to talk a uncomplicated form with name, address, phone numbers, curative problems, allergies to medications and adored hospital help expedite care and vehicle times.
Thankfully roughly all Personal fitness certifications and facilities require Cpr certification and most facilities now have automated external defibrillators (Aed), this is perfect but the majority of emergencies do not require Cpr. Hypoglycemia, seizures, dehydration, medication and supplementation errors, minor traumas, and respiratory issues are more base and often more difficult to deal with.
When the Emt's arrive we only need a few pieces of vital information. What happened, how did it happen, did they loose consciousness, did they fall and or hit their head. Has this ever happened before, any past curative history (this should be on the crisis card). A big interrogate I often get is what are the Paramedics going to do?. If it is a true emergency, and by this I mean cardiac / respitory arrest or unconsciousness, we are most likely going to treat the question on the spot to stabilize the sick person and then begin rapid vehicle to an proper curative facility. If the cause of the question is less clear we may find a quiet corner, if the sick person can be moved, and do a full work up. This may include a 12 lead diagnostic ekg, blood sugar, blood pressure etc.
The bottom line is the teacher or employer is never wrong to way 911. I would much rather show up and rate the patient, and conclude that no additional curative intervention is needed than be called after it is too late. All facilities should have a few employees that are also first aid and or first responder certified. This will allow that employee adequate training to help a member or sick person who is suffering from a curative emergency.
Some of the scariest and most frustrating 911 calls are where bystanders who concept they were helping truly complicated the situation.
o Seizures: never place anything in the mouth, turn them onto their side, do not try and hold them down, try only to forestall additional injury by engaging objects from colse to them. At best place a towel under the head to protect the head and neck.
o Fainting aka. Near syncope: The causes of this can number in the hundreds. Low blood pressure, blood sugar, over heated, cardiac abnormalities, asthma, drugs/supplements to name a few of the base ones. Place the man on their side only if there is no chance of spinal injury, if you infer injury leave them as they are. If they are alert (near syncope) and they did not eat try an vigor drink but only if they are alert.
o Chest Pain: The causes can be numerous but a good thing to keep in mind is time is muscle. If the pain is cardiac in origin the longer the sick person waits to call 911 the more heart muscle that dies.
o Stroke: Same as chest pain, time is brain tissue.
o Trauma: This encompasses minor sprains and strains up to falls and fractures. No need to run and call 911 for a sprained ankle, use your judgment for when it is considerable to call 911. One thing to keep in mind, many citizen have a curative event, fall and now they have a trauma, always be suspicious.
o Chemical Exposure: Does your club have a pool, where are the chemicals, how do treat an exposure, can you set in motion an evacuation plan.
Plan ahead, have the right citizen in place, convention your plan and never panic.
