Oregon Disaster Medical Team



Oregon Disaster Medical Team (ODMT)

Event Safety and Medical Support Plan

Prepared by: Joel McNamara

Date: 5/4/2003

Event Information

Event: Dirty Half

Date: Sunday, 6/8/2003

Time: 9:00 to 12:00 PM

Location: Bend, Oregon – three miles west of city, Phil’s Trail area

Map: To be attached to this plan (aid stations and course marked)

Type: Half marathon (13.1 miles) running race on unpaved mountain bike trails and logging roads

Expected participants: 300 to 400 (elite runners will complete the course in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes will slower runners will have up to 3 hours to complete the course).

Expected non-medical volunteers and staff: 15 to 20

Expected medical volunteers: 8 to 10

Event contact: Dave Thomason (Race Director)

Email: superdave@

Phone:

ODMT contact: Joel McNamara

Email: joelm@

Phone: 541-389-5064 – cell 541-480-1632

General Safety Information

Course Hazards

• Rocks, uneven terrain, tree roots

• Several steep descents with loose footing

• Potential weather conditions (Historic average high is around 75 degrees F with a low of 45 degrees F, however Central Oregon is known for atypical extreme weather)

Note: The course will be very well marked with flagging and it will be difficult for a participant to become lost.

Race Logistics

• All water containers should be disinfected with bleach prior to use

• Water containers should be filled from a known safe potable water source such as tap water or bulk commercially supplied water

• Adequate water supplies should be available at the aid stations in case of hot weather

• Volunteers should identify any pre-existing medical conditions (i.e. bee sting allergies) that could present a problem during race day

Medical Support Information

Medical Support Plan Overview

• Goal is to provide superior medical care to race participants and volunteers during the event.

• ALS personnel and equipment will be placed at the start/finish and furthest out aid station to maximize treatment response over the course.

• Minimum one BLS-certified medic will be present at all aid stations.

• An EMT-P on a mountain bike with radio and ALS equipment (paired with other medic or volunteer on bike) will ride sweep behind the last runner and be available for responding to on-course injuries.

• An EMT-B will run and be on the course on foot equipped with radio and act as a mobile aid station if needed.

• Transport to definitive care will be provided by the local fire agency or air ambulance.

• Medical teams report to the race director and will interface through the start/finish team. Each two-person team will have a lead medic designated.

• ODMT medical protocols (based on the Multnomah County EMS protocols) will be used for patient treatment.

• All aid stations, mobile medical teams, and race command at the start/finish will have radio communications.

General Staffing Plan

Start/Finish

Staffing: 2 ODMT members - minimum one ALS certified

Equipment: Thomas Pack (ALS equipment), AED/Lifepack, SKED, and handheld radio

Responsibilities: Provide patient treatment at the finish line (a tent will be available for shelter) and act as emergency ALS response for lower half of the race course.

Note: Ford F250 4x4 pickup will be staged at command and will be available to reach patients and transport. The truck will have a GPS and handheld radio.

Aid Station 1

Staffing: 1 to 2 ODMT member(s) - minimum one BLS certified

Equipment: BLS equipment (pocket mask, airway adjuncts, bandages, dressings, cold packs, ace bandages, splints) and handheld radio

Responsibilities: Aid station patient treatment, identify and interview runners with suspected injuries or medical conditions as they pass through the aid station

Aid Station 2

Staffing: 1 to 2 ODMT member(s) - minimum one ALS certified

Equipment: Thomas Pack (ALS equipment), AED/Lifepack, and handheld radio

Responsibilities: Aid station patient treatment, identify and interview runners with suspected injuries or medical conditions as they pass through the aid station, ALS response to patients on the course

Aid Station 3

Staffing: 1 to 2 ODMT member(s) - minimum one BLS certified

Equipment: BLS equipment (pocket mask, airway adjuncts, bandages, dressings, cold packs, ace bandages, splints) and handheld radio

Responsibilities: Aid station patient treatment, identify and interview runners with suspected injuries or medical conditions as they pass through the aid station

Mountain Bike Team

Staffing: 1 to 2 ODMT member(s) - minimum one ALS with one ODMT member (ALS) with volunteer

Equipment: Bike ALS equipment (if available as loan from AMR, per Christie Wells), GPS, cell phone, handheld radio

Responsibilities: Ride sweep and be able to respond to patients between aid stations

Note: Terrain is non-technical.

Mobile Aid

Staffing: 1 ODMT member (BLS) on foot running the course

Equipment: Radio harness, Camelbak, minimal BLS supplies (bandages, gauze, ace bandage, SAM splint, pocket mask)

Responsibilities: Provide a medical presence on the course and assess runners for possible problems

Local Medical Facilities

• Hospital – St. Charles Hospital, Bend, OR (Level 2 trauma center - ~ 25 minutes by ground, non-code)

• ALS/BLS ground transport – Bend Fire and Rescue (~10 minute response time from closest station to race start/finish)

• ALS air transport – AirLife, St. Charles Hospital, Bend, OR (~10 minute response time to race start/finish)

Communications

There will be radio communications between all aid stations and the start/finish (command). Each aid station will have two radios (at least one handheld). In addition, team members on the course will have handheld radios.

The formal communications plan, including frequencies, lead communications people, and contact information will be attached to this plan.

Note: At the present a request has been made to ARES to provide communications. In addition, ODMT will also be bringing radio equipment and a communications team member. A communications plan will be finalized by May 9, 2003.

Staffing

Medical Support

|Name |Radio call sign |Location |Assignment |

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Other Volunteers

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Potential Patient Scenarios

While any medical condition can occur during a race, there are a number of injuries and medical conditions that are more likely to be treated than others. Identifying these higher probability injuries and conditions ahead of time is useful in preparing medical staff for patient treatment and ensuring proper medical equipment and supplies are available.

Environmental

• Anaphylaxis – There may be yellow jackets and other stinging insects on the course (experienced runners who have allergic reactions to strings will frequently carry an Epi-Pen).

• Asthma – Some runners suffer from asthma and carry an inhaler. The juniper pollen should have mostly settled by the race, but some grass pollens may be present. Exercise induced asthma could also affect some runners. The course is relatively low at 4,000 to 4,500 feet, and although the increased elevation will provide a challenge to runners coming from lower elevations, it shouldn’t present any significant medical problems to runners as higher elevation races might.

• Dehydration – Aid stations on the course will provide sufficient fluids for the runners to complete the race. However if the weather is hot and humid, inexperienced runners may not intake enough fluids and could possibly end up in a moderate to severely dehydrated state.

• Hypothermia – Central Oregon weather can be unpredictable, and it’s possible to have snow, rain, or freezing temperatures in early June. Slow runners or runner forced to walk the course may be susceptible to hypothermia.

• Hyperthermia – Conversely, climate conditions may be extremely warm and may present classic heat problems. Although the relatively short distance shouldn’t lend itself to problems such as hyponertemia often encountered in longer races during hot conditions, heat exhaustion and cramps may be present at the finish line depending on temperature and humidity.

Trauma

• Contusions – Bruises from falls during trail races are common.

• Abrasions - Abrasions from falls during trail races are common.

• Lacerations – Lacerations may occur from falls in rocky terrain.

• Blisters – Blisters are likely the most common potential injury.

• Strains/sprains – Strains and sprains are the second most common injury. In most cases they won’t be severe enough to require immobilization.

• Fractures – The course only has a few locations that could provide mechanism for a fracture. This injury is possible, but unlikely.

• Aggravation of existing injuries – Runners may have a variety of pre-existing chronic joint, ligament, tendon, or muscular injuries that they will attempt to race through. During last year’s race, several runners dropped out because of existing injuries.

Medical

• MI – Although not a common occurrence, various running events have experienced cases of chest pain and MIs. (On Saturday May 4, 2003 a runner collapsed and died from a heart attack at a 50-kilometer run outside of Corvallis.) ALS equipment and trained medics at the finish line and on the course can provide a level of mitigation.

• Diabetes – Glucose levels can be considerably imbalanced during a lengthy running event.

Other Information for ODMT Members

Uniform

ODMT members staffing aid stations should wear the following uniform:

• ODMT polo or t-shirt

• BDU pants

• Black boots

• Black fleece and/or red jacket (weather dependent)

ODMT members riding mountain bikes or running the course may wear more activity appropriate clothing. Team members on the cross will have some type of identification (such as a mesh vest – to be provided) that will clearly identify them as part of the race support staff.

Arrival

Please arrive at the race location no later than 8:00 AM day of the race.

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