A survey of the extent and perception of readiness of the emergency action plans by athletic trainers in high schools within the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association

Emergency situations may arise at any time, particularly in the athletic setting. Due to this risk, it is important that schools have emergency action plans in place to identify the role of various personnel and the procedures to be followed within the emergency response. Due to their educational preparation and training, athletic trainers are in a unique position to initiate and coordinate these plans. Important aspects of the EAP include identification of the personnel who will be part of the emergency response team; proper communication prior to, during, and after the emergency event; availability of the proper emergency equipment including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs); proper rehearsal of the EAP; and the adequate documentation and review of any emergency response.;The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of and the perception of readiness for use of the EAPs in high schools within the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA). The contents of the EAP were also investigated, along with the existence of access to Automated External Defibrillators. The Athletic Trainers Emergency Planning and Perception Survey (ATEPPS) was used to gather information about the use of EAPs and the level of emergency preparation of high school athletic trainers. This survey was created by the researcher and was partially based upon the National Registry for AED Use in Sports developed in the research and work performed by Dr. Jonathan A. Drezner and colleagues at the University of Washington. High School athletic trainers who are members of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and reside in the EATA, were solicited to participate in the study. 224 athletic trainers completed the e-mail survey.;89 % of the respondents reported having an EAP in place, while 93 % of the respondents reported having access to at least one AED. Participants were also asked their perception of readiness for use of their EAP along with their perception of staff readiness to respond to emergency situations. Further research needs to be completed upon high schools within other areas of the United States and with athletic trainers in other work settings besides high schools.