Safety Action Plan (SAP)

The Safety Action Plan (SAP) is designed to assist Lake Country Chiefs Youth Football (LCCYF) coaches in responding to safety situations during practices and games. Its purpose is to ensure that the coaching staff has the information needed to react responsibly, clearly, and quickly when emergencies occur.

Expedient action is critical to providing the best possible care to participants in safety and/or life-threatening conditions. The LCCYF SAP establishes standards of safety care for all participants.

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Coach Training Requirements

All coaches must complete the Trusted Coaches Certification and Concussion Protocol Training before the start of the season.

Athlete Requirements

All athletes must submit a signed Information & Consent Form before participating in practices or games. Each Head Coach must carry digital copies of their players’ forms and emergency contacts at every practice and game.

Communication & Equipment

Each coaching staff must have an operable cell phone at every practice and game. Phones should be checked prior to each event, and a back-up plan must be in place in case of phone failure.

All players must be picked up in the Merton School parking lot; no one may leave through the north end of the property. Coaches are responsible tracking and monitoring all injuries that occur during practice and games.

Emergency Responsibilities

First Responder

The highest-trained certified person on site (often the Head Coach) is the First Responder. Duties include:

Ensure scene safety and stop all activity near the athlete.
Check the injured athlete and prevent further harm.
Do not move the athlete if head/neck injury or unconsciousness is suspected.
Contact parent/guardian if not present.
Use nitrile gloves and sterile supplies when handling blood or fluids.
Retrieve or direct someone to retrieve the First Aid kit.

Note: All bleeding must be stopped, and uniforms cleaned/disinfected before re-entry.

second responder

Activates the Safety Action Plan (SAP) immediately if the situation is an emergency.

Calls 911 and provides:

Name, location, and phone number.
Nature of emergency and number of athletes involved.
Athlete’s condition and care given.
Directions to emergency location.

Must remain calm and communicate clearly. Assists the First Responder and helps control the scene.

Non-Medical Emergencies

Inclement Weather

Coaches must be vigilant and proactive regarding lightning, hail, or tornado warnings.

Lightning/Tornados: Stop practice/game immediately and move athletes to designated shelter (Merton School gym).

Hail: Suspend play, clear the field, seek shelter.

Tornados: During a Warning, all activities stop. Move to a basement or interior room if possible. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a ditch.

Coaches must remain calm, communicate clearly, and account for all athletes.

Heat-Related Emergencies

Parents are responsible for providing water/hydration. Coaches will schedule frequent water breaks in warm weather.

Symptoms:

Heat Cramps: Sweating, muscle cramps.
Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, nausea, cool/moist skin.
Heatstroke: Fever >104°F, confusion, red/hot skin, seizures, unconsciousness.

First Aid:

Move athlete to cool place, loosen clothing, hydrate if possible.
Activate SAP and call EMS if serious symptoms occur.
Cool with ice, cold water, or ice bath until EMS arrives.

Emergency Communication

Communication is critical to effective emergency response.
Coaches and EMS must work together with accurate athlete contact information.
Emergency plan must be reviewed annually with all coaches, along with CPR and First Aid refreshers.

For Players

For Parents

For Coaches