The reality is that education and awareness for how to handle injuries is important, but many of them can be prevented in the first place if the right measures are taken.  Below are a few of the most common causes for injuries, and preventive measures you can take to keep your gym safe:

• Lack of conditioning and physical preparedness.  This can be the single most common cause for accidents and the one most easily prevented.  Conditioning your athletes and keeping them hydrated will help prevent most common muscle and ligament strains and sprains.  In addition, be sure to tailor stunts’ difficulty to each individual’s skill level.  Keep them challenging, but not unattainable.
• Untrained instructors and coaches.  The AACCA and USASF provide constantly updated safety certification courses to be sure your educated on preventing and handling injuries.  Although only college level coaches are required to obtain certification, the number of high school and lower level coaches getting certified is on the rise, as it should be.  In my opinion, this is step #1 to coaching.
• Inadequate supervision.  There is no excuse for not having enough staff or for your staff not being attentive enough.
• Improper equipment.  This goes for gym equipment, like spring floors, and for personal equipment, like cheer shoes.  Having quality equipment and maintaining it is as important to safety as it is to competing.

It is important to remember that there is no way to completely prevent all injuries as being a cheerleader or athlete of any sport carries risk.   However, in knowing why and how these injuries are occurring, we can take measures to prevent them.  With the right information, training, and knowledge, you can drastically decrease the severity and frequency of injuries in your gym or on your clock!

Check out AACCA.org for further information on Emergency Plans and the latest Cheerleading Safety information.