When an emergency arises during practice or a game, it’s crucial that all players are informed and ready to respond effectively. The WWSL emergency action plan is in place to guide you through handling common situations such as cardiac arrest, head and neck injuries, heat exhaustion, and environmental hazards.
By reviewing this plan each season, players can ensure that they are prepared to take immediate and proper action should a medical emergency or safety threat occur. Forearmed with information, we can help safeguard the health and well-being of all of our players.
It is essential that all players provide up-to-date emergency contact information in their Team Pass profile. Emergency contacts are now included in the printable Team Pass rosters. Captains are responsible for downloading and printing a copy. In addition to the Captain, other team members should have access to it during games and practices.
In the event of an emergency, having emergency contact information readily available can make a crucial difference. Players should list a reliable emergency contact, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or trusted friend. This ensures that, in the unfortunate event of an injury or medical emergency, we can promptly reach the appropriate person for assistance.
The Town of Apex Parks and Recreation Department installed multiple AEDs at Pleasant Park. It is important to familiarize yourself with the location of the defibrillators.
Pleasant Park AED Locations: (see map)
· Field House office (available during office hours only)
· Field House breezeway (by the restrooms) near Field 1
· Multipurpose fields shelter/restroom between Field 3 and Field 5
· Playground forest shelter/restroom
WWSL purchased an AED for the league in Fall 2024. The AED is brought to the field each Sunday. In the event the WWSL AED is not present, Pleasant Park AEDs are a viable and quick alternative.
We encourage players to obtain CPR and AED training. Knowing how to react when a player suddenly drops on the field can be crucial to saving a life.
Coaches, players, and referees that have CPR training and have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) can save lives. When an AED is used within three minutes of a collapse, there is an 89 percent survival rate.
U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover is a comprehensive health and safety resource for players, parents, coaches and referees. The best way to prepare for medical or environmental emergencies during a game or practice is to educate yourself so that you can take appropriate action if ever needed. Below, you’ll find recommendations, published by U.S. Soccer, related to Cardiac Conditions, Head & Brain Injuries, and Environmental Conditions.
Source: U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover
Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack, but is often due to a cardiovascular disorder causing the heart to suddenly and unexpectedly stop beating. The leading cause of death for youth and teen athletes during exercise, sudden cardiac arrest can happen without warning during any physical activity. Knowing how to react when a player suddenly drops on the field is crucial to saving a life.
Non-contact collapse of a player, referee, or bystander is presumed to be sudden cardiac arrest. This is not a common occurrence and can happen without warning. An immediate and appropriate on-site response with intervention is critical for a positive outcome.
ACTION TO TAKE FOR A CARDIAC CONDITION
• Identify the collapsed individual and check if conscious.
• Call 911 if not conscious.
• Assign someone on your team to call 911.
• Provide specific details about the person’s condition and the field location.
• Assign a player to the field entrance to meet and guide the emergency vehicle.
• Assign a player to retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available onsite.
CPR
• Start hands-only CPR – chest compressions in the center of the chest.
• 100 times per minute, 2 inches deep, pushing hard and fast.
• CPR does not require mouth-to-mouth contact.
• Continue chest compressions. Once the AED arrives, open the unit, turn it on and listen to the voice prompts.
• Place the pads on the individual’s chest (bare skin) as shown on the pads. The AED will guide you by voice on the next steps.
• If no AED is available, continue chest compressions until emergency personnel arrive. • Switch with another person if you get tired.
Source: U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover
Concussions can be difficult to recognize on the field. Most occur without a loss of consciousness or an obvious sign that something is wrong with a player’s brain function. They can occur at any time throughout a game or practice, from a blow to the head or body, from contact with the ground, the ball, or another player.
The apparent signs of concussion may include, but are not limited to:
Changes in brain function:
· Confusion
· Unaware of game (opposition colors, score of game, last play)
· Amnesia (does not recall events prior to the hit or after the hit)
· Drastic changes in alertness
· Does not know time, place or date
· Slowed responses to questions or conversation
· Decreased attention and concentration
Physical changes:
· Lying motionless
· Physical injury to face or head
· Headache
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Unsteadiness/loss of balance
· Feeling “dinged” or stunned or “dazed”
· Seeing stars or flashing lights
· Ringing in the ears
· Double vision
Mental and Emotional Changes:
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Anger
· Irritability
· Emotionally unstable
ACTION TO TAKE FOR HEAD AND BRAIN CONDITIONS:
Remove, Evaluate and Rest are key steps to treating a concussion or other head injury in soccer. When a concussion is identified quickly, it prevents the injury from getting worse and prevents the player from staying off the field for even longer.
• An athlete who experiences a blow to the head or body should immediately be removed from play and should not return to play until he/she is evaluated. When in doubt, the athlete should sit out.
• Advise the player to seek a health care professional evaluation immediately. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself.
• Never rush a return to play. A return to play should only occur after an athlete has been cleared by a medical professional. If you rush the return, a player is at significantly higher risk for more problems in the future.
Source: U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover
Extreme heat can impact players' health and safe play. Proper hydration and knowing when you need to drink are critical to help prevent injuries and illnesses from muscle cramps to heat stroke. Players should drink water before, during, and after a game or practice. Thirst is a warning that your body is already in an early stage of dehydration. Drink when you are thirsty.
Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and exertional heat stroke (EHS), can be serious and potentially life-threatening conditions which can be brought on or intensified by physical activity. Prevention and early management is fundamental to minimizing heat related illness. Increase the number and duration of hydration breaks. Shorten practice. Reduce the intensity of exercise. Postpone activity until cooler parts of the day. Review U.S. Soccer Heat Guidelines.
Early signs and symptoms of heat illness include:
· Weakness or fatigue
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Altered mental status, such as confusion, irritability, aggressive behavior
· Slurred speech
· Hallucinations
· Loss of balance, falling down
· Throbbing headache
· Body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
· Complaining of chills, while skin may be warm to the touch.
ACTION TO TAKE FOR HEAT RELATED ILLNESS: The first steps to recovery in all these cases are replacing fluids and cooling the body by resting in a cool, shaded place. Fanning or spraying with water will also help bring down the body temperature.
HEAT ILLNESS (HEAT EXHAUSTION, HEAT CRAMPS)
• Remove from activity and source of heat.
• Cool in a shaded area using ice towels, cooling tub or wading pool.
• Fan or spray with water to bring down body temperature.
• Provide access to fluids/electrolytes and encourage rehydration.
• If illness continues, call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE – this is a medical emergency.
• Immediately call EMS (911) and inform them of a heat related emergency
• Remove excess clothing/equipment and immediately begin cooling the athlete by placing them in an ice-water-tub.
• If no tub is present, rotate cold wet ice towels (every 2-3 minutes over the entire surface of the body or as much as possible)
Source: U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover
Lightning is one of the top ten causes of sudden death in sport. If it has been half an hour since thunder, it is safe to go outdoors. Outdoor activity may resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts every time lightning flashes or thunder sounds. Referees may suspend or cancel play due to lightning and severe weather conditions.
Warning signs of a lightning strike:
· Feeling the hair stand on end
· Skin tingling
· Hearing crackling noises
If these occur, assume the lightning safe position:
· Crouch on the ground as low as you can.
· Put all your weight on the balls of your feet.
· Keep your feet together.
· Lower your head and cover your ears.
· Do not lie flat on the ground.
ACTION TO TAKE FOR A LIGHTNING STRIKE VICTIM
If someone is injured by a lightning strike, follow these emergency management steps:
· Call 911 and alert emergency medical responders (EMS).
· Establish that the area is safe before moving to help the victim. If there is more than one victim, first assist those who appear in the most severe condition.
· Move individual(s) carefully to a safe location (victims of lightning strikes are safe to touch and do not carry an electric charge).
· Initiate CPR on victims who are unconscious, not breathing or have no pulse. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available.
· Evaluate the individual(s) for additional injuries, such as broken bones or dislocations. Notify EMS of the potential injuries when they arrive on the scene. Under no circumstances should a player injured in a lightning strike return to the game or practice. Injured players should only be allowed to return to play after a thorough examination and release by a qualified physician.
Apex Parks and Recreation Weather Hotline
WWSL follows the Town of Apex Parks and Recreation weather cancellations. The Weather Hotline (919) 249-3348 is updated for athletic games and practices at the following times: 4:00 pm on weekdays, 8:00 am on Saturdays and 12:00 pm on Sundays.
If WWSL games are cancelled due to severe weather, the league will issue an announcement to all players via email and text message. The league will do its best to reschedule cancelled games.