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Module V - How to Plan Your Health and Medical Services During Your Race

Overview

In this module, the individual will learn how to manage and anticipate the general planning of medical protocols and medical facilities at endurance race events. He/she will also review recommendations based on best practice models, as well as learn about mitigation and contingency measures to cope with unexpected situations.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, the learner will know how to plan for medical services at endurance race events, including identifying key elements in risk assessment, monitoring environmental conditions, organising medical infrastructures, and deploying medical personnel along the race course. The learner will also be able to build a contingency plan around a unified command centre with a focus on mass casualty incidents and medical encounters.

 

Key Pedagogical Points

 
  • Any decision to continue the race should not compromise runner safety.
  • A higher volume of participants can result in increased medical encounters.
  • Environmental conditions greatly affect the number and/or type of medical conditions.
  • More runners will likely mean more spectators, and the medical services are also responsible for staff and spectators.
  • Communications with your team prior to and during the event.
  • All medical encounters (with runners, staff, spectators) should be recorded.
  • Pre-race medical education is a priority. Medical staff must be made aware of running-related medical cases  such as Exercise-Associated Collapse, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS), and Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia. As these may not be commonly encountered in typical medical scenarios.