Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the

only thing. - Albert Schweitzer

What keeps us SAFE?

Written safety programs and slides like these do notmake us safe.

It’s our attitude about safety and the ‘actions’ we take that make us safe.

SAFETY

Each of us here have been given

authority by BSC to serve in some capacity.

But each of us must take

responsibility for doing what we have been given authority to do safely.

SAFETY

Safety must be integrated into all aspects of what we do as part of everyday activities…

How does SAFETY fit…?

Sportsmanship

Practice/Game

Positive

CoachingAs Coaches, here are

a few of the things we

find ourselves

concerned with…

there’s more of course

but these should look

familiar.

SAFETY and how we must align it with other BSC goals…

Safety

Sportsmanship

Practice/G

ame

Positive

Coaching

What we must

remember is to

make safety a part

of everything we do

and to consider

safety before,

during, and after

starting a practice

or game.

Injury Prevention

Our job is to prevent injuries, not to treat them. Remember that. Injury prevention is what it’s all about.

Injury Prevention

If there is any doubt at all in your mind, never put the game ahead of a child’s well-being. If there is any question about playing an injured player, don’t.

- excerpt from John Ouellette, AYSO National Coach (August ‘09)

Injury Prevention cont.

Accidents are typically caused by ‘behavior’, ‘conditions’, or a combination of both.

Most are caused by ‘behavior’.

Injury Prevention cont.

We’ll talk about ways to help prevent ‘behavior’ based and ‘condition’ based accidents at the coaches meeting.

Both require your effort.

Volunteer Responsibilities…

Comply with health & safety standards

Use information, equipment, and methods or procedures adopted for players protection

Do not create hazards

Do not interfere with the safety or safeguarding efforts of others

Report any unsafe conditions and take appropriate action to correct them

Club Responsibilities

Carry accident insurance

Be prepared for incidents

Promote a safe and healthful environment for practice and games

Provide training and information on potential safety hazards that we may be exposed to

BSC General Safety Guidelines:

• Designate team parents to do a routine check of practice and playing fields to remedy unsafe conditions (glass, debris, holes, obstructions, etc.).

• Inspect goals for potential hazards (sharp edges, damage, stability, etc.).

• Inform parents and bystanders to be alert for developing hazards during the course of practice or games such as unchained dogs, bicycles, bystanders behind goal nets, etc.

• At games & practice always know the location of the nearest medical center: have a cell phone available and call 911 if an emergency.

Safety Guidelines (cont.)…

• During threatening weather, make sure parents remain with their vehicles at practice and/or games.

• Ensure that minor first-aid supplies and ice are available during practice and games.

• If bleeding occurs, dispose of all contaminated materials (best effort should be made to eliminate the possibility that others may come in contact with such materials).

• Keep an extra jersey on hand in the event a player’s jersey gets bloodied yet they are OK to return to play.

Safety Guidelines (cont.)…

• Notify BSC immediately of any serious incident, such

as threats of bodily harm, fighting, hospitalization, etc.

• Inform your team parents that BSC carries

supplemental accident insurance through SAY.

• Obtain ‘return to play’ forms for any seriously injured

player, keep a copy for your players’ file and submit a

copy to BSC.

• Maintain the recommended adult to child supervision

ratio of 1:8 or less.

Supplemental Accident Insurance

Bollinger provides all SAY members with Accidental Medical Insurance, featuring a $100 deductible and a $50,000 limit. This insurance will respond for medical costs incurred for injuries sustained while participating in any SAY sanctioned event.

Supplemental Accident Insurance

Even though you may already have adequate health insurance coverage, this policy offers additional accident coverage and is included in the membership fees.

To learn more or to file a claim, go to www.saysoccer.org and under the ‘Administrators’ tab select ‘Insurance’ (or go to www.bollingersoccer.comdirectly).

First Aid items to have…

Accident prevention is what we do, but things do happen. So for minor injury, you should have a basic first-aid kit at all practices and games. A basic first-aid kit will contain the following:

Adhesive bandage strips (10 each)

Adhesive bandages (3 large and 3 medium)

Antiseptic wipes (5 each)

Cotton balls or 2x2 gauze (10 each)

Elastic wraps (2 each)

Individual first-aid cream packets

Non-latex gloves (2 pair)

Mouth rescue breather (1 each)

Instant cold pack

Minor First Aid & AED

Wash small cuts and abrasions with soap and water and keep them clean and dry. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide do little to prevent infection and may actually delay healing.

Punctures through the soles of shoes/cleats have a higher risk of infection. All punctures should be tended by a Doctor immediately.

Minor First Aid & AED (cont.)

When applying an ice pack to a strain or bruise, make sure it is first wrapped in a towel to prevent frostbite to the wounded area

An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is kept on-site during all games and is self-instructing.

Wellness

‘Those who think they have no time for exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.’

Physical wellness is your ability to apply your knowledge, behavior, attitude, and skills toward achieving personal health and fitness goals (via sound nutrition, exercise, and safety in everyday life).

Share these ideals with your players.

Encourage players to stretch, exercise often, eat right, and get enough sleep – use easy concepts to make your point and mix up your post-game snacks!

Severe Weather

A little rain is OK to play in however if there is…

• Lightning – clear the field and wait for 30 minutes after the last lightning to return• Most people are struck by lightning

before and after storms have peaked, not at the height of a storm. Lightning often strikes miles from the area of rain. Be aware of how far lightning can strike from its originating thunderstorm.

Severe Weather

• A severe storm – seek shelter

• A tornado warning – seek shelter

And when tornado warnings sound – be prepared. Practice what you would do with parents and players. It will help reduce the panic during an actual event.

Cold Weather

Below 60 degrees, encourage warm-ups to be worn (and during practice/games if need be)

Avoid static stretching; do more dynamic stretching before practice & games (spend a few minutes extra when it’s cold)

Wear knit hats and gloves

Heat Stress

In warm to hot weather players will experience some level of heat ‘discomfort’ during games. What we need to do is to help prevent ‘heat disorder’.

Heat stress is also more dangerous in team environments. People starting to feel ill do not want to let the team down.

Heat Stress (cont.)

Urge your players to hydrate before, during, and after practice and games.

Signs of heat-related illness can include confusion, delirium, or loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke is serious – it gets progressively worse - never hesitate to seek prompt medical attention if someone is showing signs.

Wrap-up...

• There’s lots to consider, but we all need to understand the potential hazards that exist in our game and practice areas.

• You are the leaders out there. You represent BSC. Therefore, we promote sportsmanship and safe behavior and we help maintain safe conditions.

• The ‘guidelines’ just discussed are posted on our website.

• Do your part to promote the safety and well-being of all: players, spectators, and non-spectators.

Thank you!

You’ve just completed our safety orientation!

Volunteer coaches represent the best of what Brookside Soccer offers. This is your Club, you are now the

face of BSC to many others.

Thank you for volunteering.