HCSP & Risk Management

What is a Hockey Canada Safety Person (HCSP)?

The Hockey Canada Safety Program utilizes a proactive, preventative, common-sense approach to keeping our children safe. The goal of the program is for the safety people to implement effective risk management programs with their own teams where player safety is the first priority at all times, both on and off the ice.

The safety person is a volunteer who has received HCSP accreditation. The HCSP program must be successfully completed every three (3) years in order to be a team’s safety person, even if the individual is a medical professional.

Hockey Canada Safety Program (HCSP) Guidelines:

• The minimum age for participants is 19 years of age as of December 31 of the current season.
• HCSP accreditation expires after three (3) years.
• It is mandatory to have at least one (1) certified official on each team.
• All teams intending to participate in BC Hockey Championships must include an official accredited in the HCSP by December 1 of the current season.

Learn More about the Hockey Canada Safety Person Program

Find a Hockey Canada Safety Person Clinic (Filter by Trainer/Safety)

What is the role of the Hockey Canada Safety Person?

The following are responsibilities the safety person should assume to prepare for potential injury to a player:

• Maintain accurate medical information files on all players and bring to all team activities.
• Maintain a player injury log.
• Maintain a fully-stocked first aid kit and bring to all team activities.
• Implement an effective Emergency Action Plan with your team and practice it regularly to ensure all involved understand their roles and are prepared to act promptly when an incident occurs.
• Recognize life-threatening and significant injuries, and be prepared to deal with serious injury.
• Manage minor injuries according to basic injury management principles and refer players to medical professionals when necessary.
• Recognize injuries that require a player to be removed from action. Refer players to medical professionals and coordinate return to play.
• Facilitate communication with players, coaches, parents, physicians, therapists, paramedical personnel, officials and other volunteers regarding safety, injury prevention and player’s health status.

In a situation where a player is injured on the ice, the following are the responsibilities of the safety person:

• Initially take control and assess the situation when coming into contact with the injured player.
• Instruct the player to lay still.
• Instruct bystanders to leave the injured player alone.
• Do not move the athlete and leave all the equipment in place.
• Evaluate the injury and situation. This may include anything from an unconscious player to a sprained finger. Once you have determined the severity of the injury, decide whether or not an ambulance or medical care is required.
• If the injury is serious and warrants immediate attention that you are not qualified to provide, seek out someone with the highest possible level of first aid/medical expertise.

Note:
As the safety person, you should be aware of those individuals on your team with these qualifications and arrange a signal should you need their assistance.

• If an ambulance is required, notify your call person with a pre-determined signal. Give a brief explanation of the injury and tell them to call for an ambulance. Let the injured player know that an ambulance is being called and why. This could reduce fear and panic on the part of the player.
• Once the call has been placed, observe the player carefully for any change in condition and try to calm and reassure the player until medical professionals arrive. STAY CALM. Keep an even tone in your voice.
• Make a note of the time at which the injury occurred and keep track in writing of all pertinent facts regarding the accident, including time of occurrence, time of ambulance arrival, etc.

Becoming a Hockey Canada Safety Person (HCSP)

To be rostered as a Safety Person (HCSP) you are required to do the following:

1. If you don't already have a profile in the Hockey Canada Registry, contact Tina O'Connor to create one for you.
2. Complete a Get your Criminal Record Check (Access Code: RDXVQWH9CU). There is no charge for this request.
3. Complete the BC Hockey online course, Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders. The cost of this course will be reimbursed.
4. Complete the BC Hockey online course, Concussion Awareness Training Tool - COACH COURSE.  There is no charge for this course.
5. Complete the BC Hockey online course, Hockey Canada Safety Person.(Filter by Trainer/Safety) The cost of this course will be reimbursed.

BC Hockey Bulletins

Stay up to date with all of the regulations changes, as well as safety information, and BC Hockey information.

• BC Hockey Bulletins - Safety & Maltreatment
• Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Illegal Activity
• Insurance coverage - Out of Country Competitions (including games and tournaments)
• On-Ice Helpers

Medical & Return To Play Forms