University of Dallas

UD Recreation Safety Procedures

Thank you for your interest in UD Clubs and Recreational Sports. We want to make sure each of our students has a safe and fun time while participating in UD Clubs, Recreational Sports and Student Life Activities.

Emergencies
Concussion Management
Non Emergency Injuries
Seeking Medical Treatment

---

EMERGENCIES

What to do in case of an emergency?

Each club or recreation sport will have a pre-selected Emergency Response Leader. This person is responsible for reporting all emergencies to CSO and filling out the online Incident Report Form.
In the case of a medical emergency, the ERL should do the following:

1. Immediately call Campus Safety Office at 972-554-2911!
2. Describe the nature of the emergency and location of the person needing assistance.
3. Remain with the person until emergency personnel arrive.

CSO will notify the appropriate Office of Student Life staff. The Dean of Student Life or his designee will decide whether or not the parents or guardian of the student involved should be notified. The cost of transportation and medical treatment in the emergency room is the responsibility of the student requiring care.

Types of Emergency

• Unconsciousness
• Chest Pains
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Seizure

Concussion Management

A concussion is an injury to your brain that is caused by a blow to the head, a car accident, a fall, or any other trauma that severely jolts the head. If the ERL suspects a participant has suffered a concussion, they should:

• Give the participant the Concussion Take-Home Instructions.
• Encourage the participant to visit with On-Campus Doctor.
• Fill out the online Incident Report Form.

Concussion Fact Sheet!

 

 

NON EMERGENCY INJURIES

What Should I Do if I Suffer an Injury?

Whether an injury is acute or chronic, there is never a good reason to try to "work through" the pain of an injury. When you have pain from a particular movement or activity, STOP! Continuing the activity only causes further harm.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries, such as a sprained ankle, strained back, or fractured hand, occur suddenly during activity. Signs of an acute injury include the following:

• Sudden, severe pain
• Swelling
• Inability to place weight on a lower limb
• Extreme tenderness in an upper limb
• Inability to move a joint through its full range of motion
• Extreme limb weakness
• Visible dislocation or break of a bone

Chronic Injuries

Chronic injuries usually result from overusing one area of the body while playing a sport or exercising over a long period. The following are signs of a chronic injury:

• Pain when performing an activity
• a dull ache when at rest
• Swelling

Some injuries require prompt medical attention, while others can be self-treated.

---

SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT

Who Should I See for My Injury?

Although severe injuries will need to be seen immediately in an emergency room, particularly if they occur on the weekend or after office hours, most sports injuries can be evaluated and, in many cases, treated by the On-Campus Doctor (972-721-5322). You should contact the On-Campus Doctor if:

• The injury causes severe pain, swelling, or numbness.
• You can't tolerate any weight on the area.
• The pain or dull ache of an old injury is accompanied by increased swelling or joint abnormality or instability.

When and How to Treat at Home

If you don't have any of the above symptoms, it's probably safe to treat the injury at home—at least at first. If pain or other symptoms worsen, it's best to check with your health care provider. Use the RICE method to relieve pain and inflammation and speed healing. Follow these four steps immediately after injury and continue for at least 48 hours.

• Rest. Reduce regular exercise or activities of daily living as needed. If you cannot put weight on an ankle or knee, crutches may help. If you use a cane or one crutch for an ankle injury, use it on the uninjured side to help you lean away and relieve weight on the injured ankle.
• Ice. Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day. A cold pack, ice bag, or plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel can be used. To avoid cold injury and frostbite, do not apply the ice for more than 20 minutes. (Note: Do not use heat immediately after an injury. This tends to increase internal bleeding or swelling. Heat can be used later on to relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation.)
• Compression. Compression of the injured area may help reduce swelling. Compression can be achieved with elastic wraps, special boots, air casts, and splints. Ask your health care provider for advice on which one to use.
• Elevation. If possible, keep the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist elevated on a pillow, above the level of the heart, to help decrease swelling.