Every fitness facility should have a well thought out and practiced emergency plan in place. Emergencies happen without warning, no two are ever alike and waiting until they happen leaves you and your facility 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 public buildings and schools.

The general rule of thumb is to first panic, regroup and panic again. This is where a clear and practiced emergency plan is paramount. The average person that is not aware of how 911 works actually makes our job much more confusing. Your plan should include a designated person to make the 911 call. This should be a clear and early step in the emergency plan. Do not rush to give the 911 dispatcher info, they will gather it from you in an orderly fashion.

Please realize that as the dispatcher is talking to you another dispatcher is sending an ambulance, this is a well coordinated process. Designate a person 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 access the patient.

Emergency cards for each member or client in your facility should be available to give the EMS crew. If the patient is unconscious or unable to talk a simple form with name, address, phone numbers, medical problems, allergies to medications and preferred hospital help expedite care and transport times. Thankfully almost all Personal fitness certifications and facilities require CPR certification and most facilities now have automatic external defibrillators (AED), this is excellent but the majority of emergencies do not require CPR.

Hypoglycemia, seizures, dehydration, medication and supplementation errors, minor traumas, and respiratory issues are more common and often more difficult to deal with. When the EMT? 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 medical history (this should be on the emergency card). A big question 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 problem on the spot to stabilize the patient and then initiate rapid transport to an appropriate medical facility.

If the cause of the problem is less clear we may find a quiet corner, if the patient 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 trainer or manager is never wrong to access 911. I would much rather show up and evaluate the patient, and decide that no further medical 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 enough training to help a member or patient who is suffering from a medical emergency. Some of the scariest and most frustrating 911 calls are where bystanders who thought they were helping actually complicated the situation.

?Seizures: never place anything in the mouth, turn them onto their side, do not try and hold them down, try only to prevent further injury by moving objects from around them. At best place a towel under the head to protect the head and neck. ?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 common ones. Place the person on their side only if there is no chance of spinal injury, if you suspect injury leave them as they are. If they are alert (near syncope) and they did not eat try an energy drink but only if they are alert. ?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 patient waits to call 911 the more heart muscle that dies. ?Stroke: Same as chest pain, time is brain tissue. ?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 necessary to call 911. One thing to keep in mind, many people have a medical event, fall and now they have a trauma, always be suspicious.

?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 people in place, practice your plan and never panic. Bryan Fass, BA, ATCL, CSCS, NREMT-P

Bryan Fass holds a bachelors in sports medicine, is a Certified / Licensed Athletic Trainer, Nationally Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Nationally Registered Paramedic.

Bryan is also a highly skilled soft tissue and Myofascial Release therapist, And has over 10 years of experience in clinical and fitness settings. Specialties in Spine and postural re-education. Precision Fitness is an advanced personal fitness, corrective exercise, post-rehabilitation, and sports performance facility with locations in Cornelius and Mooresville.

http://www. lakenormanfitness. comBryan is available for consulting for health clubs, gyms and clinics.

Author:
Bryan Fass