These 3 actions can change the game in emergency preparedness.
Emergencies happen fast. ADs can’t always prevent them – but they can prepare. Here are three quick wins to protect athletes, coaches, and your career.
Learn more about Emergency Action Plans, Pre-Event Safety Timeouts, and Emergency Cards in the article...
1. Keep EAPs Digital & Accessible
Your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is only useful if it’s where you need it, when you need it. Paper binders left in offices won’t help on the field. By digitizing your EAP and making it instantly accessible on phones, tablets, and laptops, you ensure coaches, trainers, and first responders can act quickly and consistently.
- Store your EAP in a secure digital platform.
- Provide mobile access to every coach.
- Update instantly when staff, facilities, or policies change.
A digital EAP turns preparation into action.
2. Practice Safety Time Outs with Coaches
Even the best plan can fail if no one knows it. That’s why top ADs are integrating “Safety Time Outs” into practices and pregame routines.
- Run through emergency scenarios once per season with every coach.
- Use a brief 5-minute review before games: Who calls 911? Who meets EMS? Who grabs the AED?
- Treat it like a fire drill – short, repeatable, and lifesaving.
When coaches know their role, panic turns into purpose.
3. Use Emergency Cards Athletes Actually Carry
If an athlete goes down, coaches need medical info fast-- but rifling through paperwork wastes precious minutes. Emergency cards solve that problem, but only if they’re carried, accurate, and current.
- Create wallet-sized or digital emergency cards for every athlete.
- Include allergies, medical conditions, and parent contacts.
- Update automatically when parents submit new info.
Whether in a pocket or on a phone, e-cards give coaches confidence and families peace of mind.
Final Word
You can’t stop emergencies from happening but you can make sure your department is ready when they do. Start small: digitize your EAP, drill safety time outs, and get emergency cards into athletes’ hands. These three actions will help protect athletes, empower coaches, and safeguard your career.
👉 Want to see how other ADs are simplifying safety and compliance?
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