Most hockey parents spend hours preparing equipment, booking hotels, and planning travel.
Very few spend even five minutes preparing for an emergency.
The reality is that tournament weekends involve thousands of players, parents, grandparents, coaches, siblings, and volunteers travelling away from home. While emergencies are uncommon, they do happen.
Having a simple plan before the tournament begins can make an incredibly stressful situation much easier to manage.
Choose an Emergency Family
One of the smartest things you can do before the first game is identify another family on your team who would be willing to help if an emergency occurs.
Talk with them before the tournament begins.
Exchange:
• Cell phone numbers
• Hotel information
• Room numbers (if appropriate)
• Emergency contacts
Knowing someone is prepared to help provides peace of mind for everyone.
If Your Child Is Injured
Every parent’s first instinct is to go with their child.
If an ambulance is required or your child must be taken to the hospital, the last thing you want to worry about is who will look after your other children.
An emergency family can:
• Stay with brothers or sisters
• Help collect hockey equipment
• Notify coaches and the team manager
• Assist with transportation if needed
Instead of making difficult decisions in the moment, the plan is already in place.
If a Parent Becomes Ill
Medical emergencies don’t only happen to players.
Parents, grandparents, and spectators can also experience illness or injury during a tournament.
If a parent needs emergency medical care:
• Who stays with the player?
• Who looks after younger children?
• Who informs the coach?
• Who accompanies the affected parent to the hospital?
These are questions best answered before the tournament begins.
If You Are Travelling Alone
Single parents and families travelling with one adult should be especially prepared.
Having another trusted family member available can be invaluable if an unexpected situation arises.
Share Important Information
Your emergency family should know:
• Where are you staying
• Any important medical conditions
• Emergency contact numbers
• Your child’s medications or allergies
This information should only be shared with people you know and trust.
Keep Your Phone Available
Tournament weekends are busy, but keep your phone charged and accessible.
Consider carrying:
• A portable phone charger
• Emergency contact list
• Hotel information
• Arena addresses
Hope You Never Need It
Most tournament weekends end with nothing more serious than tired players and happy memories.
But if an emergency does occur, having a simple plan allows you to focus on what matters most—your family.
Five minutes of preparation before the tournament can make all the difference when every minute counts.
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Mark Hetherman
Executive Director
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mark@thehockeyresource.com
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