Table 1.
Evidence-Based Best Practices for Emergency Planning Policies in Secondary School Athletics15,20
| No. |
Recommendation |
No. (%) of States Meeting Recommendation |
| 1E | Every school or organization that sponsors athletics should develop an AEAP specifically for managing serious and/or potentially life-threatening sport-related injuries. | 24 (47) |
| 2E | The AEAP should be developed and coordinated with local emergency medical services, school public safety officials, on-site medical personnel or school medical staff, and school administrators. | 9 (18) |
| 3E | Every school should distribute the AEAP to all athletics staff members. | 10 (20) |
| 4E | The AEAP should be specific to each venue (including maps, directions, etc). | 14 (27) |
| 5E | On-site emergency equipment that may be needed in an emergency situation should be listed. | 9 (18) |
| 6E | The AEAP should identify personnel and their responsibilities to carry out the plan of action with a designated chain of command. | 10 (20) |
| 7E | Appropriate contact information for emergency medical services. | 11 (22) |
| 8E | Plan should specify documentation actions that need to be taken postemergency. | 4 (8) |
| 9E | The AEAP should be reviewed and rehearsed annually by all parties involved. | 18 (35) |
| 10E | Health care professionals who will provide medical coverage during games, practices, or other events should be included. | 10 (20) |
Abbreviation: AEAP, athletics emergency action plan.