CHAPTER 5 • MASS PARTICIPATION EVENTS 23- Individuals with altered mental status should be rap-
idly evaluated with a rectal temperature for hyperther-
mia or hypothermia. Persistent altered mental status
with relatively normal rectal temperatures should be
treated as suspected hyponatremia until proven other-
wise (Holtzhausen and Noakes, 1997). - Hyperthermic individuals should be rapidly cooled on
site, preferably with ice water immersion (Mayers and
Noakes, 2000; Holtzhausen and Noakes, 1997).
FINANCE AND LOGISTICS
FINANCIAL PLANNING
- The conduct of mass participation events both
requires and has the potential to generate money.
Medical directors must ensure that the safety of the
participants and the support staff is not compromised
by decisions to increase revenue for the event. The
medical director must be involved in any plans affect-
ing the event that may have medical implications. - Planning for the costs of medical supplies, transporta-
tion, and personnel compensation must be made and
agreed on early in the event planning process.
MEDICAL AID STATION LOCATION
- The spacing of medical aid stations throughout the
course is determined by many variables. The course
must be previewed and the location of medical aid sta-
tions established based on anticipated need, appropri-
ate location, and course specific considerations
(Cianca et al, 2001). - Medical aid stations must be easily identifiable to
competitors and EMS units.
•Medical evacuation routes must be established to
avoid conflict with the event in progress and ensure
the most efficient transport requirements.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
- It is not unusual for participants to decide that a med-
ical treatment area is a good place to end their partic-
ipation in the event. If this decision is realized in the
middle of the course, a plan for the removal of these
athletes must be used. - Many races have a “sweep” vehicle that follows the
last competitor and can transport these participants to
the finish area. Other transport arrangements may be
available depending on the nature of the event, but
must be anticipated prior to the event.
MEDICAL-LEGAL- An additional responsibility of the medical director is
the assurance of medical staff liability coverage.
•General event insurance packages usually exclude
medical coverage (Dooley, 1999). - Options for medical liability coverage should be dis-
cussed with legal representation in advance of the
event and include individual or group policies—Good
Samaritan laws.
CONCLUDING COMMON
SENSE PRINCIPLES- Medical planning and preparation are absolute
requirements for the successful conduct of mass par-
ticipation events.
•Following established medical plans, treatment guide-
lines, and remembering limitations with a focus on
competitor and staff safety invariably results in a ful-
filling experience for everyone involved.
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