W. Va. Code R. § 127-2-15

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 127-2-15 - Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

15.1. Effective December 31, 2017, each member school shall adopt and submit to the WVSSAC and to the county board of education an EAP for athletics, designed to respond to athletic injuries that occur on school property during school-sponsored athletic practices and events.

15.2. Each EAP shall include:

15.2.a. Implementation of the EAP for every sport at every level. The EAP shall discuss how it is to be implemented with the participation of the school's principal and athletic director (if any), coaches, and athletes.

15.2.b. Training. The EAP shall include any necessary training for any person designated as responsible for any portion of the implementation of the EAP. Training may be in person or online, as may be available to the school.

15.2.c. Protocol for summoning emergency medical assistance. The EAP shall discuss how the school's sports teams will assign responsibility for summoning emergency medical assistance in the case of an emergency during a practice or event.

15.2.d. Protocol for beginning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The EAP shall discuss how the school's sports teams will assign responsibility for beginning CPR in the event it is necessary. Each sports team must have individuals trained in CPR. The school shall provide proper training to any individual assigned responsibility for performing CPR.

15.2.e. Protocol for the use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Each member school will have an accessible AED on the school or event grounds during the duration of all athletic events and practices. The EAP must address how the school's sports teams will assign responsibility for retrieving and using an AED in the event it is necessary. Each sports team must be instructed on the location of the nearest AED to any practice or event facility. The school shall provide proper training to any individual assigned responsibility for using an AED.

15.2.f. Protocol for the treatment of heat stroke. The EAP must address how the school's sports teams will prepare for and treat heat stroke. Each sports team that practices outdoors is recommended to have available an emersion tub, and must have water, ice, and towels, to be used for the treatment of heat stroke. The EAP must address how the school's sports teams will assign responsibility for obtaining these items and preparing them before a practice or game begins.

15.2.g. Written records. The EAP shall require that each of the school's sports teams assign responsibility for the items discussed above at the beginning of each season, and record those assignments on a written record, which record shall be retained by the sports team and the school.

15.2.h. Symptoms and risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest. The EAP shall require that schools train athletes, coaches, and volunteers about the symptoms and risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.

15.2.i. Coordination with local Emergency Medical Systems. The EAP shall require that schools coordinate with their local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, notifying EMS personnel of the availability of AEDs at the school, and notifying EMS personnel of the EAP adopted by the school.

15.2.j. Follow up retraining. The EAP shall require that school sports teams that respond to an emergency incident meet to discuss their response after the incident has passed. Discussion shall center on the team's response to the incident, areas for improvement, and retraining that may be necessary, and any counseling that may be required for the individuals involved.

15.3. Schools may, but are not required to, adopt the Anyone Can Save a Life Program (available at www.anyonecansavealife.org), which meets all of the requirements of this rule, to be implemented as that schools EAP in compliance with this rule.

15.4. Each EAP adopted pursuant to this rule shall be provided to the county board of education and shall be retained by the county board of education until the EAP is superseded by a revised EAP.

W. Va. Code R. § 127-2-15