The NCAA News - News & Features

Adequate emergency medical care and supervision at practices and competitions for all student-athletes

In the past two decades, NCAA institutions have experienced an expansion in the number of athletics programs, an increase in the length of sports seasons and the addition of nontraditional seasons, skill-instruction sessions, and year-round strength and conditioning programs. There is a concern that this increased athletics activity has not been matched by an increase in appropriate medical support.

Emergency-care guidelines for all athletics activities have been documented in the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook since 1977. While this information has been distributed annually to member institutions, several emergency situations in college athletics have occurred that may reflect a lack of adherence to these guidelines, particularly during nontraditional-season practices. These situations potentially put both the student-athlete and the institution at risk.

In 1993, the NCAA established a Division I athletics certification program. Its goal was to certify each Division I school by 1998 in four areas of competence -- governance and commitment to rules, academic integrity, fiscal integrity and commitment to equity. One component of the commitment-to-equity area is student-athlete welfare. A new five-year cycle will begin in Division I certification in 1998 and a timetable for potential changes to the program has been established. The committee looks at the certification re-evaluation process as an opportunity to create better commitment to adequate emergency medical care for participants under the student-athlete welfare component.

Recommendations:

1. NCAA member institutions should meet the following minimal requirements for adequate emergency medical care and supervision at all practices, strength and conditioning workouts, skill-instruction sessions, and competition as noted in the Sports Medicine Handbook:

a. The presence or immediate availability of a person qualified and delegated to render emergency care to a stricken participant.

b. The presence or immediate availability of a physician for prompt emergency medical evaluation of the situation, when warranted.

c. The qualified person must have access to appropriate emergency supplies.

d. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletics site and the medical facility for prompt medical services, when warranted. Access to a working telephone or other telecommunications device, whether fixed or mobile, should be assured on site.

e. A thorough understanding by all parties, including all athletics department personnel and the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures associated with the emergency-care plan.

2. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques (CPR), first aid, and prevention of disease transmission (as outlined by OSHA guidelines) should be required for all athletics personnel associated with practices, competitions, skill instruction, and strength and conditioning. New staff engaged in these activities should comply with these rules within six months of employment.

3. Item Nos. 1 and 2 should be incorporated into the second cycle of Division I athletics certification and any similar certification process developed by Divisions II and III. If certification in Divisions II and III is not forthcoming, then legislation should be sponsored to achieve a commitment to these standards.

4. Future legislation regarding expansion of practices or competition opportunities also should consider the need for appropriate medical coverage.