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West Virginia University (WVU) is spearheading significant advancements in sports safety with a new position statement on emergency action plan (EAP) development and implementation, authored by Samantha Scarneo-Miller, an assistant professor at WVU.
This guideline, backed by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), seeks to revolutionize the response to catastrophic sports injuries across all levels—from youth sports to professional leagues.
Scarneo-Miller emphasizes the aim of the updated statement:
“The ultimate goal of this position statement is to reduce unnecessary deaths from sport participation. We want this document to save more lives.”
The updated guidelines advocate for a designated EAP coordinator to ensure sport and venue-specific preparedness, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. This change acknowledges the unique challenges posed by different sports environments and the varied skills of team staff.
Key updates in the statement include the integration of a pre-event medical meeting to outline emergency procedures, personnel roles, and equipment locations.
This shift towards more comprehensive, venue-specific plans is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency responses. Scarneo-Miller added:
“Having a plan for just the facility isn’t good enough anymore...We need a sport- and venue-specific emergency action plan because coaches and staff have their own unique skills they can contribute to the plan activation.”
The statement's development involved a diverse group of sports medicine professionals, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to safety. The emphasis is on creating a culture of preparedness that engages all stakeholders—from athletic trainers to athletes—in fostering a safe sporting environment.
Scarneo-Miller's work, presented at NATA’s 75th Clinical Symposia and AT Expo, sets a new standard in sports safety, urging collaborative efforts to protect athletes at all levels.
The community is encouraged to adopt these recommendations to enhance safety measures in sports settings.
Read more about it here!
