CHAPTER 5 • MASS PARTICIPATION EVENTS 21- This may differ among the aid stations throughout the
course with the most robust resources usually being
provided at the finish area. - The usage and type of intravenous fluids, availability
of oxygen, medications, and advanced cardiac and
trauma life support equipment are all areas requiring
discussion. - Coordination with the local emergency medical system
(EMS) and emergency rooms and hospitals is absolutely
required. - Mobile medical assets in the form of bike, canoe/
kayak teams or EMS units provide an excellent means
to access injured competitors throughout the course
(Laird, 1989).
MEDICATION PLAN
•A decision must be made as to the provision of med-
ication on the race course and in the medical aid sta-
tions. It is recommended that these medications be
tightly controlled and kept to a minimum if dispensed
at all.
- In longer events it is not uncommon for athletes to
carry and take their own medication during the event.
This must be anticipated to best treat the competitor
and prevent overprescribing. - The availability of urgent or emergency medication,
such as aspirin, epinephrine auto-injector, albuterol
meter dose inhaler, glucose, and advanced cardiac life
support (ACLS) medications should be considered.
LABORATORY PLAN
- Medical aid stations may or may not have basic labo-
ratory capability. The ability to assess an athletes’
blood glucose and sodium levels will assist with their
rapid evaluation and allow for the appropriate treat-
ment of a collapsed athlete (Davis, et al, 2001). - Hand held glucose and electrolyte monitors are read-
ily available and have become part of the standard
medical kit for many endurance events (Speedy et al,
2003).
COMMUNICATION PLAN
- It is vital that medical support assets have the ability
to communicate with each other, EMS assets, local
hospitals, and the event director before, during, and
after the competition.
•Various communication networks have been used to
include cellular phones, computer networks, ham radio,
and hand-held radios. These systems should be tested
well before the event and a backup plan should be
established in the case of failure of the primary means
of communication.
•A communication plan outlining how EMS will be
requested and dispatched, where injured athletes will
be taken and when to contact the medical director
will increase the efficiency of the medical care pro-
vided.MEDICAL CHAIN OF COMMAND- An individual must be identified to serve as the medical
director. His or her responsibilities include advanced
planning, event day medical decision making, and med-
ical troubleshooting. The medical support staff, event
director, and media—all benefit from having one iden-
tified contact, rather than a committee, to answer all
medical issues. - It is also recommended that each aid station have an
assigned medical leader well versed in the event med-
ical philosophy. This medical leader can organize the
support staff and coordinate medical care provided
locally.
MEDICAL TRAININGMEDICAL STAFF- It is common that the medical support for mass partic-
ipation events is gathered from a diverse background
and experience level. Most are better versed in med-
ical care within a clinical or hospital facility than in
the field environment. - The medical plan, chain of command and level of care
provided must be reviewed with the medical staff. It is
helpful although not always practical to provide an
education session prior to race day.
•Triage and treatment guidelines specific for the event
provided in writing are useful as well as administra-
tion information to include the course map, parking,
proximity to water, food and facility stations, commu-
nication, and transportation plans.
COMPETITORS•Participants should also be given medical informa-
tion prior to the event. This is most easily provided
with the race information and can be coordinated
through the event director. Additions to event web-
sites, handouts to accompany the race packet pick-up