Risk Management and Safety
One of the first rules to live by is: LEAVE NO RUNNER ALONE.
• Respect all fellow runners.
• Respect other runners you encounter along the way.
• Respect the rights of other pedestrians and cyclists.
• Respect the rights of those who live in the area.
• Respect your environment. Dispose of any cups, nutrition wrappers, etc. in the proper place.
• Bring hydration to every training session.
• Early morning/evening runs when dark: 360 degrees of reflectivity to be seen PLUS a headlamp to see. Fleet Feet will provide runners with flashers if necessary.
GENERAL RUNNING SAFETY (adapted from the RRCA)
1. Don't assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can't see you.
2. Always run on the left side of the road facing traffic. The best way to avoid an untimely meeting with a vehicle is to see it coming.
3. In busy areas, stay on sidewalks where possible. When running in large groups, it is much safer to be out of the way.
4. Run single file in congested areas or wherever there is oncoming traffic. Run no more than 2 by 2.
5. Respect a driver's right to the road.
6. Beware of stopped cars making a right hand turn. Either stop to wait for them to turn or go behind them.
7. Don’t challenge cars to a race. If you are both approaching an intersection, stop, let them go first.
8. Cross at cross walks or traffic signals whenever possible and look both ways before crossing. Obey traffic rules and signals. Runners, as pedestrians, are bound by traffic laws.
9. Use hand signals to show which way you plan to turn.
10. When using multi-use trails, follow the rules of the road. If you alter your direction, look over your should before crossing to avoid a potential collision with an oncoming cyclist or passing runner.
11. Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
12. Use your ears as well as your eyes. Don’t wear headphones.
13. Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information.
14. Carry a cell phone at your discretion.
15. Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “rightâ€, it isn’t.
16. Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, know where open businesses or stores are located in case of emergency.
17. Run with a partner. Run with a dog.
18. Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes.
19. Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
20. Ignore verbal harassment and do not verbally harass others. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
21. Practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.
22. Carry a noisemaker. Get training in self-defense.
23. If running when dark, reflective great is a must (reflective vest, blinking light and/or a headlamp are all good options.) Also, wear a headlamp so that YOU can see.
24. If you need to stop and tie your shoe, pull off to the side of the road and out of the way.
25. Be alert at all times. Be wary of “runner’s high,†fatigue, or any lapse of concentration.
26. CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.
27. Not a rule of the road, but to keep you safe, carry hydration with you on your run.
For additional safety tips, visit the RRCA’s web site: http://www.rrca.org/education/rrca-general-running-safety-tips
If an emergency occurs:
• Check person’s status: eyes open, ability to talk coherently, facial coloring, breathing, heart rate.
• If person is unconscious, have someone call 911 immediately. You should be able to provide them with location information and convey status of the individual.
• Check the time and recheck at various stages (i.e., times if person loses consciousness, starts speaking incoherently, etc.)
• If person is conscious, ask if you can help him or her.
• If person is unconscious, it is important to check breathing and for a pulse.
• Provide CPR and/or First Aid if necessary (CPR certified). See if a nurse or doctor is on hand to assist.
• A (head) coach should remain on site until EMT arrives. You will be asked to provide health information, timing of emergency, and any details of what occurred. If you provide CPR, please remain on site to assist with data collection.
• Other coaches and mentors should get other runners moving.
• If you’re out on a trail where people are spread out, and a coach is on site, coach should contact other coaches. Coaches will ask mentors to assist with keeping runners moving and make sure everyone signs out. If a mentor is on site, mentors should notify coaches of any incidents. If mentor is assisting, ask other team members to notify a coach.
• If registration form is at hand, check medical information and call emergency contact listed.
Emergency Action Plan
Assess the situation: if emergency proceed to EMERGENCY, if not an emergency proceed to First Aid Plan
EMERGENCY
1. In Emergency Call 911
2. Begin CPR/First Aid/AED –ONLY IF DEEMED NECESSARY AND SOMEONE IS CERTIFIED
3. Contact Head Coach : Rachelle Wallace (248) 442-7426 / Ace Brown (239) 770-8671
4. Contact Emergency Contact (if necessary)
5. Complete an incident report (after the incident and everyone is safe)
Note: Do not perform CPR/First Aid/AED if not certified. Anyone who IS certified should perform immediately as necessary.
First Aid Plan
1. Ask participant if they are OK? If not, begin EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN (call 911)
2. Contact Head Coach
3. Perform appropriate First Aid as necessary (if certified)
4. Contact Emergency Contact (if necessary)
5. Complete an incident report (after the incident and everyone is safe)
Weather Cancellation Policy
If weather is inclement, alternatives will be in place so that cancellations are kept to a minimum.
Summer
Fleet Feet Sports will cancel a group training session if the following dangers are present:
• Extreme heat conditions (heat index in excess of 100-110)
• Thunderstorm - lightning is present
• Tornado warnings and/or high winds
• Any other dangerous weather conditions, such as hail, extremely poor visibility, etc.
• We will NOT cancel a session if it is simply raining - you never know what may happen on race day; train your runners to be prepared for anything, as long as safety is not at risk.
Excessive Heat Tips (according to the Red Cross):
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Use a buddy system when outdoors.
• Take frequent breaks when outdoors.
• Modify the workout to keep trainees safe in the heat.
Excessive Heat Watch: Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.
Excessive Heat Warning: Heat Index values are forecasted to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs = 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit).
Heat Advisory: Heat Index values are forecasted to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs = 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit). We will reduce pace per policy: 30 seconds for 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. 1:10 seconds for 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfort level for 85+ degrees Fahrenheit.