Safety at the Rec
Exercise Precautions
Exercise can place stress on the body and therefore, certain precautions should be considered. Participants are strongly encouraged to get a physical exam prior to engaging in vigorous exercise. Users who are over age 45 and/or have any ailment or special condition which may increase risk for heart disease are strongly encouraged to consult a physician prior to engaging in exercise.
The SRC provides Fitness Monitors in the fitness and free weight rooms to assist you with your workout. These employees are trained in spotting techniques, and they have some knowledge of fitness program development. They are not certified personal trainers, and they are not qualified to give medical or dietary advice. The Monitors have the authority to enforce all safety rules, but do not have the authority to mandate specific physical movements from participants.
Dehydration is caused by excessive loss of fluids from the body, and can be fatal. Participants are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids during and after exercise. Rubber, or other material, body suits used to promote perspiration will not be permitted in the SRC.
Protective Eye Wear
Participants are strongly encouraged to use protective eye equipment when playing racquetball. The use of protective equipment may reduce the chances of severe eye damage, and it is available for free checkout at the front desk.
Injury And First Aid Procedures
SRC student staff members are trained in basic first aid and CPR. If an injury occurs, users are asked to seek assistance from the nearest SRC employee. Staff members are instructed to provide care in life threatening situations only. In obvious life threatening situations, courtesy phones are located in the multi-purpose, fitness and weight rooms to contact 911.
If an ambulance is necessary, the SRC staff will contact university police and activate the emergency procedures. SRC employees may not transport injured victims. In any injury situations, the injured person (when possible) and any witness will be asked questions for an accident report.
SRC employees are not trained to give preventative first aid such as wrapping or taping joints, nor are they allowed to apply splints to injured joints. Individuals requiring such aid will be advised to seek professional attention.
Insurance And Liability
Everyone involved in any Student Recreation Center activity participates at his/her own risk. Participants are responsible for their own health, dental and vision insurance needs.
Individuals or groups renting the facility may be required to provide proof of liability insurance.
The SRC staff strives to keep all areas as safe as possible through regular inspection of activity areas and equipment. All patrons are asked to comply with the following guidelines:
- Store all personal items in a locker. Personal items, including jackets, gym bags, backpacks etc., are prohibited along walls and floors in the fitness and weight rooms. In the main arena, personal items may be placed against the walls, but away from the track and courts. Personal items are stored at the participants own risk. The SRC is not responsible for items lost, stolen or damaged.
- Keep all chairs, tables and benches away from the playing areas.
- Notify the facility supervisor of slippery floors or other potential hazards.
- report damaged or broken equipment to a SRC staff member. do not use damaged equipment.
- Report any problems to a SRC staff member or the Director of the SRC.
- To minimize the noise level, personal radios with headphones only may be used in the fitness room.
Emergency Procedures
Injury/Accident
Stop all activity around the injured person to prevent further injury.
Assess the situation
Radio to the other supervisor for help
Ask the person if they are OK.
If the person is able to answer:
Identify yourself and get consent.
Monitor airway, breathing and circulation.
If severe bleeding is present, have other supervisor or front desk call EMS immediately and control bleeding. Make sure to use gloves when dealing with blood.
If severe bleeding is not present, ask what part of body is injured and how it happened.
Assess whether or not an ambulance is needed.
If an ambulance is not needed, make sure the victim is capable of moving and/or has transportation. University Police may be called to provide transportation at their discretion. Do not transport victim yourself.
Stay with the victim until help arrives. Never leave an injured person alone.
If the person is unable to answer:
Have other supervisor or front desk call EMS
Monitor airway, breathing and circulation
Provide Artificial Respiration or CPR if needed. Control bleeding if needed. make sure to use gloves when dealing with blood.
General Guidelines
Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
If the victim is conscious, keep them calm by talking to them until help arrives.
Keep the person as comfortable as possible without causing more injury.
Continually monitor breathing and circulation.
Treat for shock.
Use R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation) for minor injuries. If a fracture is suspected, do not elevate injured area.
If an ambulance is not required, encourage individual to seek medical attention, no matter how minor the injury appears.
Fill out injury/Accident reports as accurately as possible. Follow up all injuries with the Director of the Student Recreation Center.
Power Failure
Contact University Police immediately.
If the facility is completely dark, flashlights are located in Employee Room and in supervisor's packs.
Advise individuals to stay where they are until power is restored or until emergency lighting has started.
Carefully check through entire facility for anyone in danger.
Keep all individuals calm.
Once the facility has been checked and there is no imminent danger, contact the Director of the Student Recreation Center either at home or by pager.
If it is bright enough in the facility to move around safely (either by emergency light or daylight) advise individuals to carefully make their way out of the facility. If there is inclement weather or it is unsafe to be outside, move individuals into the locker rooms and the middle of the main concourse away from any glass.
Thefts
Contact University Police to report theft.
Once University Police arrives, turn the situation over to them. SRC staff needs only to file an incident report stating the initial situation and that University Police was called.
Trouble Alarms
If the access panel alarm sounds:
- Open the alarm panel (key can be found in the key box)
- Acknowledge the alarm
- Reset the alarm
- If the alarm continues to sound, notify the director (during the day) and/or University Police (evenings/night).
Fire
- Remove everyone from the immediate fire area.
- Make certain the smoke/fire has been reported by alarm box and a 911 call to University Police
- Assess the situation. If safe to do so, extinguish the fire with portable extinguishers. If you cannot extinguish the fire, contain it by closing doors in the fire area.
- Without waiting for authorization, instruct everyone to evacuate the floor using the nearest exit.
- If there is a clear path, instruct everyone to exit the building.
- Check that all areas, including locker rooms, are empty. Start with the areas closest to the fire and search away from it.
- Be the last to leave the facility, if possible.
- Contact the SRC director. Have the University dispatcher page the Director if necessary.