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Liabilities and Class Emergencies

 

Safety in Classes

Both the Mission statement and the Risk Statement state that every effort will be made to provide a safe environment in which students may participate in activities. This promise must take precedence over all other teaching considerations. Careful supervision of equipment, facilities, and individuals in activity is absolutely essential. Screening of a student’s ability is recommended if the lack of certain skills might put the student in jeopardy. Health screening is also recommended if the instructor suspects that a student may be putting him/herself or others in jeopardy by participating. All lessons must be carefully planned in advance taking into consideration any safety concerns. See “Liability Proofing Your Lesson/Practice Plans” by Gary Gray.

The Risk Statement must be provided to the student as part of the Course Outline. In addition instructors are to identify specific risks, hazards, or potential dangers involved with the activity. The act of informing students is a critical factor in litigation should that ever happen. Another factor in litigation is whether the instructor acted in a reasonably prudent manner. A third factor is whether the students were adequately prepared for activity.

Certifications

All PAC instructors are to hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from a recognized, reputable agency. Depending on the instructor’s background, a First Aid certification may also be required. Instructors with academic preparation that is more advanced than Red Cross First Aid will not be required to hold a current First Aid; however, instructors are expected to remain current in emergency care procedures. It is recommended that the First Aid certification be completed by all instructors. A Xerox copy of all certifications must be on file in the PAC office.

Emergencies

See “Emergency Response,” a handout from the OSU Safety Handbook. More specific for PAC instructors are the following guidelines:

  • If the emergency is life-threatening have another student dial 9-911 from the nearest phone. Assuming that the instructor is the most qualified person, he/she will stay with the victim and provide care. The caller must provide the building location, the type of emergency, and information on the condition of the victim, i.e. if he/she is bleeding, breathing, has a heart beat. The caller always hangs up last then immediately calls the building cage personnel and informs them that 911 has been called. The equipment issue personnel will meet the ambulance.
  • If the injury/illness is not life-threatening, the instructor will administer appropriate first aid and determine if the student should immediately see a physician. If so, another student will call security and direct them to the location of the injured student. The cage personnel must also be notified. Security will transport the student to the Student Health Center. If the student chooses not to go to the Health Center the instructor must carefully monitor the student and recommend the most appropriate action. It may be advisable to have another student assist the injured student after class. Security personnel will not assist an injured student and will not transport students with loss of consciousness, dislocated joints, excessive bleeding, or if, in the opinion of the officer, the student’s condition would be affected negatively by transporting.
  • Following class the instructor must immediately complete the Accident form. After the student completes the back of the form, it is put in the coordinator’s box. A follow up inquiry of the student’s condition should be done by either the instructor or the PAC secretary. It is recommended that the instructor carry blank forms to class.
  • Following all injuries the instructor should review the situation and document contributing factors. If the injury could have been avoided appropriate changes must immediately be made by the instructor. The PAC coordinator is to be informed as soon as possible of any injury/illness that required transportation by security or ambulance.
  • During orientation meetings instructors will be given directions on proper handling of body fluid loss.

First Aid Boxes/Ice/Telephone

Ice machines are available in Langton, across from room 200 plastic bags and ice scoops are provided next to the ice machine. Use of the scoop helps prevent contamination of the ice. First aid boxes are located in all activity areas. Instructors are to inform the equipment room personnel after items have been consumed. Instructors of outdoor classes are to carry a first aid pack with them to the field. It is the instructor’s responsibility to locate the nearest telephone, first aid box, and ice machine. It is best if the instructor carries a cellular phone.

Instructor Injuries

For information on what to do in case of an instructor emergency, go to General Instructor Responsibilities.

11/15/2004


 
 
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