Knight Runners Risk Management Plan
General:
Members of Knight Runners must each turn in a Personal Data Sheet (with emergency contact) and have
a signed participation waiver/release on file.
Knight Runners will have at least two officers (may be non-traditional officers – e.g., Risk Management
Officers) CPR/AED and First Aid certified.
Knight Runners will have two officers financially trained, will turn in an OSI Update Form each semester,
and attend the Sport Club Training Orientation.
Following any injuries occurring during travel, practices, or home events, one officer from the club will
complete an RWC injury report on site and at the time of the injury (under “employee name” note the
specific club and officer position of the person completing the injury report). A follow-up will be
conducted for every injury by an RWC staff member. All injury reports must be turned in to the Sport
Club Coordinator within 48 hours of the incident. In the event a Sport Club Supervisor is present, they
will be responsible for completing the report.
All club members must be current UCF students meeting the minimum requirements set forth by the
Office of Student Involvement and the club’s constitution. Each club must also have two eligible officers
registered with OSI.
In the event of serious accident or for serious or life threatening accidents, Knight Runners will follow
the Serious Incident Protocol.
Certain risks are associated with all levels of running, but especially for new or returning members.
Knight Runners will accommodate this type of participant by encouraging gradual increases in mileage
and intensity. In keeping with this, at least two scheduled runs every week will specifically target these
members by being conducted and led at a slower pace and over a shorter distance. Members exhibiting
or complaining of symptoms of overuse injuries (e.g. limping, changes in technique) will be discouraged
or, in extreme cases, barred from running at practices or races.
Practices:
At least one CPR/AED and First Aid certified officer will be present at all practices.
While practicing, a first aid kit will be on scene and accessible, or stored at the run’s start/end
point. Officers who receive CPR/AED and First Aid certification will also be expected to keep a
Knight Runners Risk Management Plan
list of nearby sites (and their hours of operation) that fulfill these requirements, such as fire
stations and on-campus buildings.
At least two officers will have a fully charged cell phone at all practices. In the event 911 EMS
needs to be called from a cell phone, indicate if the injury is on UCF’s campus so it may be
dispatched through the appropriate channel (UCF Emergency Dispatch). Always note the case
number on the injury report and notify the Sport Club or Athletic Training Coordinator after
calling EMS.
In the event of an orthopedic or cardiac injury or event, the nearest officer with CPR/AED and
First Aid certification will follow the steps in accordance with their training. They will direct
another member to call 911 and provide a phone if necessary. The caller will inform 911
dispatch of the location and nature of the injury. Since runs will be conducted in various and
changing locations, often roads, attracting the attention of emergency responders will be
important. At least one member of Knight Runners will work to maximize his/her visibility from
the nearest roadway. This may require crossing the street or moving some distance to a nearby
intersection, which must be done safely and legally. If there is a shirt or other similar item
available, it can be used as a flag. While the emergency responders are en route, the usefulness
and access to nearby first aid supplies will be assessed. For example, if the incident seems to be
cardiovascular, the risk management officer may direct a member or other officer to retrieve an
AED from a nearby building.
At least one “official” club officer (according to the Office of Student Involvement) will be
present at all practices and have the RWC Emergency Contact List, club emergency contact
information, and injury reports at the practice location.
Since different running routes will take members different places, each of these locations may
be the most accessible AED at different times:
RWC Park (Turf Fields)
RWC (RWC First Aid Station)
ED 179 (Wellness & Research Center – C.O.E. Workout Center)
Fire Station at the intersection of McCulloch Road and Orion Blvd. (Northeast side of campus)
Orange County Fire Station #80; 1840 Bonneville Drive (South and East of campus)
In the event Thorguard, the lightning detection system, sounds one long blast, all staff,
participants, and spectators will clear the outside participation area and seek a lightning safe
Knight Runners Risk Management Plan
structure. *Note: a covered pavilion is not a lightning safe structure. All staff, participants, and
spectators will remain clear until Thorguard sounds the all clear (three short blasts). In the
event Thorguard is not operational, the club will adhere to the commands given by RWC staff
members for clearing the participation area.
If practices or competitions are held off-campus and the off-campus location does not have
ThorGuard, the flash/bang system will be used. After the FLASH, count the seconds to the
BANG. Every 5 seconds equals 1 mile. Divide by 5 to give the distance in miles from you to the
lightning. The 30-30 rule states that a 30 second flash-to-bang count indicates danger and that
play should be suspended for 30 minutes.
Officers will encourage members to rest or hydrate if they begin to feel exhausted or
dehydrated. Water will be available at the start and end of each run/workout and an optional
water stop at least once during the run/workout. Water breaks will be no more than thirty
minutes apart.
Practice routines will be varied to accommodate novice runners by offering the aforementioned
easy runs. Also, any member of Knight Runners with a known heart condition will need
documented approval from a medical doctor in order to run at practices or races in addition to
standard waiver requirements. This approval may be sought at the UCF Health Center, which
offers free consultation services to students.
Each practice will include a brief period of easy running followed by a period of stretching.
Participants will also be encouraged to stretch at the end of each run. On days that include
higher intensity exercise, including interval and tempo workouts, a more structured regimen of
stretching and plyometrics will take place after a brief warm-up run to minimize the likelihood
of injury in participants.
Since running surfaces cover a wide area and vary day by day, inspecting the course would be
prohibitively time consuming. On days when we plan on running trails, officers will check if any
members have orthopedic issues (e.g. a history of ankle sprains) or are uncomfortable running
on uneven surfaces for any reason.
Competition:
At least one CPR/AED and First Aid certified officer will be present at all competitions.
While competing, a first aid kit will be on scene and accessible.
Knight Runners Risk Management Plan
For all home competitions hosted on campus, an athletic trainer will be made available and
have full medical jurisdiction during the competition unless EMS arrive on scene. The Athletic
Trainer will have an AED available for cardiac emergencies.
For all home competitions on campus, a Sport Club Supervisor will be present assisting with
event management.
General Travel:
At least one CPR/AED and First Aid certified officer will be present at all travel events.
While traveling, a first aid kit will be available during travel and at all away competitions.
A sport club TRF (either SCC Funded or Non SCC Funded) with information regarding which members are
traveling, where and when the club is traveling and returning, where the club is staying and tag numbers
(if using personal vehicles) will be turned into the Sport Club Coordinator two weeks prior to travel. All
traveling members MUST have a fully completed Personal Data Sheet and participation waiver on file
with the Sport Club Office.
The group leader for each event will travel with a Serious Incident Protocol, RWC Emergency Contact
List, this risk management plan, and the emergency contact information for each traveling member. In
the event of an emergency, one officer will be responsible for immediate contact with RWC staff (Sport
Club Coordinator, Athletic Training Coordinator, Associate Director of Programs, Director, in that order).
Ensure that all drivers (rental and personal) are insured and licensed drivers. In the event a minor
accident occurs:
a) Report accident to rental vendor (i.e., Avis) or personal insurance company
a. It is strongly advised that Avis drivers have full coverage protection with their personal
vehicle insurance company. The driver is responsible for all damage that may occur
while driving.
b) Obtain a police report
c) Advise UCF Sport Club personnel or Recreation and Wellness Center staff
When traveling with vehicles, drivers will not drive for more than 4 hours without taking a minimum 30
minute break. Alternate drivers should be used when available. Second drivers with Avis rentals must
be at least 25 years of age (and added at the time of vehicle pickup) or a current UCF employee. When
driving between the hours 12:00am – 3:00am, drivers will have a 30 minute break every 2 hours.
Vehicles will not be driven between the hours 3:00am—6:00am.
Knight Runners Risk Management Plan
A safety check on all vehicles is conducted before departing on travel when using personal vehicles. If a
club chooses to travel using personal vehicles, all license plate numbers must be provided to the Sport
Club Coordinator prior to traveling. It is recommended that the group leader verify that each person
driving has insurance coverage suitable for group travel and a valid driver’s license. It is also
recommended that each personal vehicle undergo a safety inspection prior to departure. A minimum
safety check should include:
Seat/ Shoulder Belt
Windshield Wipers
Tire Tread Depth
Door Latches
Visual Belt Inspection
Headlights (low & high)
Window Operation
Turn Signals/ Hazards
Visual Hose Inspection
Fluid Levels
Taillights/ Brake Light
Parking Brake
Brake System
Floorboard Integrity
No Battery Corrosion
Horn
Mirrors
Engine Oil (service date)
Defroster/Heat/AC
Tire Inflation