The medical committee will be on call 24 hours a day during the course of the weekend to treat any injury or to handle any emergency. The committee will consist of both Certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and student nurses.

Emergency Medical Technicians are distinguishable by "Villanova Emergency Medical Service" or VEMS uniforms and medical committee members are distinguishable by their red shirts with the large white cross on the front and back. Athletic trainers and first-aid certified volunteers will also be on-site.

Operations Center

West Lounge, Dougherty Hall (1st Floor)

The Operations Center is your main source of information and resources. Security as well as medical staff will be located there during all hours to provide you with answers to any questions.

• In case of emergency: f on-campus, dial x9-5198. If off-campus, dial 610-519-5198, or 911

Calling the Operations Center

1. Talk to the dispatcher in a calm voice; screaming makes it harder for you to be understood.
2. Give the dispatcher your name, group/team name, and the nature and location of the emergency. If you are reporting an injured athlete, please give the name of the athlete.
3. Stay on the phone so that the dispatcher can get additional information from you if needed.

Emergency Procedures

An emergency constitutes an unforeseen combination of circumstances that requires necessary action. In the event that an emergency arises during the course of the Games, the following steps are to be taken:

1. Notify personnel with access to radio communications at competition site. If off campus, notify your HOD who will notify the SOPA Liaison.
2. They will notify the venue coordinator and event director and SOPA liaison at the venue.
3. The event director and SOPA liaison for Fall Festival will meet with the SOPA President and other appropriate individuals.

Notification of action to be taken will be made in the appropriate manner. If action needs to be taken in regard to inclement weather during the Games, appropriate signage will be placed at meals, hotels, and venues. Heads of delegation will also be notified at their daily meeting.

Medical Emergencies

In Case of Injury or Illness:

• All medical concerns, no matter how minor they appear, must be reported to the medical emergency personnel located at the competition venues and on the Villanova University campus at the Operations Center (West Lounge) in Dougherty Hall.
• If the condition is severe, stay with the athlete or person who needs assistance. Do not move the patient.
• Have someone seek help at the nearest emergency medical station. Send someone to find the athlete’s coach immediately.
• If requests of the coaches or chaperones are contradicted by the nature of the physical situation, the EMT protocol for providing medical treatment will prevail.
• If we cannot find the HOD for that delegation then we will try to reach him by cell phone or pager or leave a message at the respective hotel.
• HOD/coach must fill out an incident report in case of injury and submit it to the appropriate SOPA liaison.

Night Injury or Illness:
If an illness or injury occurs during the night, the head of delegation is to report directly to the medical committee present at the hotel. You will be notified of these room numbers when you check into the hotel and at the first HOD meeting.

Medical Assistance Locations:
There will be a medical assistance location at each venue and one central facility on the Villanova University campus at the Operations Center, the West Lounge in Dougherty Hall. Medical assistance will also be available at the hotels during the evening. There will also be an ambulance on campus to assist with any greater injuries or emergencies to transport them to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Medical Forms & Recording Procedures:
Medical records for the athletes will be kept on-site and will be accessible to medical personnel at all times. Coaches must have copies of their athletes’ medical release forms with them at all times or in the respective athlete’s credential holder.

Coaches should notify the parent or guardian of an injured athlete when a serious injury occurs. In case of hospitalization, records of the incident will be completed in accordance with EMT protocol and held in the Fall Festival Games file and forwarded to ASIS.

Medications:
It is the responsibility of each coach, not the athlete escorts, to make sure that the athletes requiring medication have enough for the weekend and take it as prescribed. Remember to keep track of the time and dosage in case of medical emergency.

Immunizations:
Athletes and coaches should have up-to-date immunizations, which include tetanus toxoid booster during the last ten years. It is suggested that all athletes and coaches consult their physician on this matter. The date of the most recent tetanus toxoid booster should be indicated on each athlete’s Application for Participation (medical).

Diet:
A balanced diet is essential to an athlete’s performance at the Festival. The diet should contain extra carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables prior to and during the Festival, along with a normal intake of salt. Athletes should be discouraged from eating greasy, fried, or fatty foods during the Festival. Don’t allow your athletes to overeat, especially before competition. Water stations will be provided at each venue site to help prevent dehydration.

Pre-Competition Warm-Up
Have your athletes properly stretch with warm-up exercises before the competition. Five minutes of stretching prevents muscle pulls, strains and other injuries that may occur if these exercises are not performed. Each competition site will have warm-up areas where the athletes can stretch before competing.