BADMINTON Special Olympics Sports Skills Program

Initial Measures for Cardiac Arrest
Always have someone familiar with basic life support and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at every training
session. Even though the possibility of cardiac arrest is
much greater among the spectators than among the athletes,
it is always possible. Initial steps include the following:
• CALL EMS (your local Emergency Medical System).
• Establish unresponsiveness.
• Call out for assistance.
• Position the victim (only in life-threatening situations
should you move or reposition the athlete).
Recommended Emergency Medical Procedures
1. DO NOT MOVE an athlete who is believed to be
seriously injured…especially when a head, neck, or back
injury is suspected.
2. A responsible person must STAY WITH THE
INJURED ATHLETE at all times and have the "Special
Olympics Application for Participation" (medical form)
and the "Athlete/Parent Release" form available. He or
she must also provide appropriate emergency support.
A second person needs to stay with the other athletes.
3. Another responsible person should CALL THE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NUMBER
(911) and meet the paramedics. This will enable them to
come as quickly as possible and to enter the area at the
designated place.
4. The rest of the coaches should be with the other athletes,
moving them to another area and assuring them that
appropriate emergency procedures are being followed.
It is also a good opportunity to answer their questions
and concerns about their teammate.
5. Contact the parent and caregiver as soon as possible.
ABCs of CPR
These are simply reminders for those who are already
trained in CPR. You should only attempt CPR if you are
trained or there is no one else around and advanced medical
help is on the way.
4 6
Call Emergency Medical System
Airway
• Open airway (tilt head and lift chin).
• Establish breathlessness (look, listen, feel).
Breathing
• Check for foreign body (airway obstruction).
• Provide mouth to mouth breathing.
Circulation
• Check for pulse.
• Start chest compression (if no pulse is felt).
Heat Related Illnesses
Heat Emergencies
These problems often occur when athletes play too long and
hard or stay too long in the sun. People do not always realize
how the sun can affect them.
Sunburn can occur on overcast days as well as on sunny
days. When athletes are in the sun, they should wear a
water-resistant sunscreen lotion, which provides maximum
protection. Sunglasses and a hat provide added protection.
The following information tells how to recognize and initiate
treatment for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps.
Heat Stroke
Signs and symptoms
• Hot, red, dry skin
• Very high body temperature
• Rapid/weak pulse
• Rapid/shallow breathing
• Shock or unconsciousness
What to do
• Treat heat stroke as a life-threatening emergency and
call the paramedics.
• Cool the victim by immersing in a cool bath or
wrapping in wet sheets and fanning.
• Care for shock by laying the victim down and elevating
the feet.
• Give nothing by mouth.
Heat Exhaustion
Signs and symptoms
• Cool, pale, or flushed; moist skin
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Weakness and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
What to do
• Treat heat exhaustion as an emergency and call the
paramedics.
• Get the victim into the coolest place available.
• Place the victim on the back with the feet elevated.
• Cool victim by applying wet sheets or towels to the
body and by fanning.
• Give a half-glass of water to drink every 15 minutes
if the victim is fully conscious and can tolerate it.