On Ice Medical Emergencies Protocol

[nimi]

I just noticed that ISU updated their medical emergencies protocol last July but I don't remember seeing this new policy being discussed around here: https://isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/21575-isu-communication-2267/file

The following procedure must be followed in case of evacuation of a Skater from the ice surface in the Figure Skating Branch.

1. The Host Medical Team must be present during practice (minimum 2) and competition (minimum 4) and be positioned as stated in the ISU Medical Guide.
2. The Host Medical Team will have radio contact with the Referee.
3. When an emergency occurs on the ice that the Host Medical Team believes requires immediate attention, the Host Medical Team will radio the Referee to inform him/her that they need to enter the ice surface.
4. The Referee will stop the performance of Skater /Skaters and clear the ice.
5. The Host Medical Team with the respective Team physician (if present) enter the ice surface and assess the Skater.
6. Skater is removed from the ice surface by the Host Medical Team and, depending on the injury, is taken directly to the ambulance for transport or to the medical room for further assessment.
7. The assessment is conducted by the Skater’s Team Physician (if present). If there is no Team Physician present the assessment will be conducted by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Assistant CMO for the event.
8. If the respective Team Physician is present to assess the Skater, he/she will provide the Referee directly or via the ISU Event Coordinator with his/her assessment if the Skater is fit to compete or not.
9. If there is no Team Physician present, the CMO/Assistant will provide the Referee directly or via the ISU Event Coordinator with his/her assessment if the Skater is fit to compete or not.
10. ISU Rule 515 paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Special Regulations & Technical Rules Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance is applied.
11. TheRefereemakesthefinaldecisioniftheSkaterisallowedbackontotheicesurfacetocompete.
12. ThePhysicianwhoconductedtheassessmentcompleteseitherthePhysicianAssessmentForm if the Skater is fit to compete or the Withdrawal Form if not fit to compete. The respective Form must be completed and submitted by the next day following the emergency at the latest.

I assume that the Cain/LeDuc lift accident and its aftermath had something to do with this change in emergency prodecure. Link to old discussion thread about the whole thing: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...he-ice-referee-allows-her-to-continue.104919/

As Sylvia pointed out in the old thread, at the time it was up to the referee (who usually is NOT a medical professional) to decide whether medical attention is required. Now it's the medical team who will decide if immediate medical attention is needed: they'll just inform the referee that they need to intervene, and the referee will follow their lead and stop the performance.

I welcome this change!

 

[aftershocks]

I assume that the Cain/LeDuc lift accident and its aftermath had something to do with this change in emergency prodecure.

ITA, but the new rules are surely also informed by other prior in-performance, as well as warm-up incidents. The difference is that skaters can be assessed by medical personnel in the midst of or right after warm-ups and competing decisions made prior to proceeding with a performance.

Incidents occurring during performance have certainly needed to be better regulated for quite awhile.

I don't see in what you have excerpted any full reference to what happens if skaters are deemed to be fit to continue competing. IOW, will they be allowed to return to the ice and re-start their entire program, or begin where they left off?

 

[nimi]

I don't see in what you have excerpted any full reference to what happens if skaters are deemed to be fit to continue competing. IOW, will they be allowed to return to the ice and re-start their entire program, or begin where they left off?

I see that the copypaste got a bit jumbled towards the end (dunno why), but basically it says that after the medical assessment is made, the referee applies the usual protocol for interruptions and decides whether the competitor is allowed back on the ice or not.

Longish explanation: The emergency protocol references ISU Rule 515 paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Special Regulations & Technical Rules Single & Pair Skating. Basically, that's the part of the ISU rule book that deals with interruptions; see p. 91-92 of the pdf (click the link above or go to isu.org/figure-skating and click Rules -> Special Regulations and Technical Rules) or read this copypaste:

4. Adverse conditions related to the Competitor and/or his Equipment: If a Competitor is injured during the performance or another adverse condition related to him or his equipment (such as but not limited to health problems, nose bleeding, lace undone, damage to clothing or skates) occurs the Competitor must stop skating when he becomes aware of the problem and reports to the Referee or must stop skating at the acoustic signal of the Referee, whichever is earlier. Duration of Interruption:

1. a) Up to 40 seconds - If the adverse condition can be remedied without delay the Competitor does not need to report to the Referee and the music continues to play. If the Competitor resumes skating the program the Referee will apply a deduction as per Rule 353, paragraph 1.n). If the competitor does not resume skating program within forty (40) seconds, the music will stop playing and he shall be considered withdrawn;
2. b) Up to three minutes - If the adverse condition cannot be remedied without delay and the Competitor shall report to the Referee within forty (40) seconds the Referee will allow an additional period of three (3) minutes, for the Competitor to resume skating. This additional period starts at the time grants this additional 3 minutes. At the same time the Referee signals for the music to be stopped. If the Competitor resumes skating within the additional period, the Referee will apply a deduction as per Rule 353, paragraph 1.n).

When the problem is solved, the Competitor shall continue from the point of interruption or, if the interruption occurred at the entrance to or during an element, at the point immediately following this element which shall be called by the Technical Panel.
If the Competitor does not report to the Referee within forty (40) seconds after stopping skating or being ordered to do so by an acoustic signal of the Referee, whichever is earlier, or does not resume skating his program within the additional three (3) minutes period, he shall be considered withdrawn. Only one resumption per program is allowed after an interruption due to an adverse condition related to a Competitor or his equipment. In case of a second interruption due to such an adverse condition the Competitor shall be considered withdrawn.

1. If, in the opinion of the Referee, medical attention is required, he must stop the performance by an acoustic signal and follow the Medical Protocol (Communication 2049 or any update thereof) The Referee, after consulting with the respective Team Physician, or, if not present, the medical doctor provided by the Organizer, he will decide if the Competitor is allowed back to compete. If the Referee does not allow the skater to resume within 3 minutes since he stopped skating his program the competitor will be considered withdrawn. If the Referee allows the Competitor/s to continue skating his program, Rule 515, paragraph 4. b) will apply.
   When the problem is solved, the Competitor shall continue from the point of interruption or, if the interruption occurred at the entrance to or during an element, at the point immediately following this element which shall be called by the Technical Panel

The TLDR version: The old 3 minute rule still applies (see Rule 515, paragraph 4. b) and if the skater is allowed to continue after the interruption ("from the point of interruption"), deductions will be made; see p. 18, Rule 353, paragraph 1.n)

Interruption of the program with allowance of up to three (3) minutes to resume from the point of interruption.	Rule 515, paragraph 4. b)	- 5.0 per program