The Importance of Emergency Preparedness
At about the halfway mark of the third period in a Midget hockey game at the Ron Ebbesen Arena in Airdrie this weekend, a visiting player was involved in a serious life threatening accident. The player had his neck cut by a skate, when the player and his teammate realized he was bleeding, the player skated to the bench on his own volition and was followed into the dressing room by his coaching staff. In the dressing room, pressure was placed on the wound, the player was kept calm and an ambulance was mobilized.
The visiting team and the home team worked together from the moment of realization that there was a crisis until the player was taken to the Children¦s Hospital by EMS. (A team comprised of both the visiting and Airdrie coaching staff and some parents from both teams took control of the situation immediately,÷ says the injured players father. (The Airdrie coach was on the phone to 911, relaying messages to the dressing room and directing people where to meet the ambulance,÷ he continues. (Other coaches were in the hallway blocking people from the scene while at the same time making sure the other players were quiet and in their respective dressing rooms,÷ he continues. Along with the coaching staff of both teams, parents are also to be commended for their composure and help during the incident. (A mom on our team is a nurse, she was in the dressing room immediately and drove my wife to the hospital,÷ says the Dad who rode in the ambulance with his child.
(Everyone kept calm, there wasn¦t one person involved in the situation who was out of control,÷ says the Father who also lends credit to his child for remaining calm and collected through the ordeal. (Emergency preparedness in this situation was key to a favourable outcome in this situation,÷ he adds. The player¦s father also commends the first responders from Alberta Health Services for their fast action and compassion towards his son.
After undergoing surgery for his injuries the player has been released from hospital and is at home recovering.
This past weekend serves as a reminder to all teams of the importance of being prepared for an emergency and having people in place to take charge and act quickly. AMHA insists that ALL TEAMS review the Hockey Canada¦s Emergency Action Plan and Player Down Flow Chart. If your team requires assistance with coordinating an emergency preparedness plan please contact AMHA. Ensure your medical forms are up to date and you have a first aid kit on the bench at all times.
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