Section 8: Safety Considerations
Indoor venue safety: ceiling clearance for pole vault and high jump verified; throwing cages required for weight throw; sector marshals positioned. Pole-vault and high-jump landing-mat dimensions and minimum thickness per NCAA spec. Banked-track safety: handrail and edge-protection at outer track edge. Concussion protocol: removal + graduated return-to-play assessment for any actual or suspected concussion (pole-vault head impacts and field-event implement strikes are primary risks). Required: certified athletic trainer at every meet; team physician + EMT/ambulance + AED at championship-level. Emergency action plan with cervical-spine and head-injury protocols at every venue.