Emergency Drop Protocols

A runner collapsing next to you is one of the hardest moments a pacer can face. In that moment, the race no longer matters. Runner safety always comes first, and in a life-threatening situation, helping is more important than continuing to pace (see runner safety). A clear, practised protocol helps you act fast.

Before race day: know the plan#

You will act faster if you prepare:

• Save the local emergency number and the race's medical hotline in your phone. In Vietnam the ambulance number is 115.
• Know where the medical tents and AEDs are on the course map.
• Agree in your team who stops and who continues if a runner goes down. Usually one support pacer stays and the leader keeps the group going.

Step by step when a runner collapses#

1. Stay safe. Stop at the side of the course without causing a pile-up. Signal and call to runners behind you to pass on the other side.
2. Call for help right away. Shout to the nearest marshal, volunteer or medic. Call the race medical number or the local emergency number. Give the exact location: the nearest km marker, which side of the road, and a landmark ("Km 28, right side, just after the bridge"). If other people are nearby, send one to fetch the nearest AED and medic.
3. Check response. Kneel beside the runner, tap their shoulders and speak loudly: "Can you hear me?"
4. Check breathing. Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing.
5. If not breathing normally: start CPR if you are trained. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest and follow your training. Use an AED as soon as one arrives; switch it on and follow its voice instructions. Do not stop CPR until medics take over, the runner starts breathing normally, or you are physically unable to continue.
6. If breathing normally but not fully awake: place them in the recovery position (on their side, top leg bent, head tilted back so the airway stays open). Keep checking their breathing until help arrives.
7. If awake and responsive: keep them lying or sitting still in shade. If you suspect heat stroke, start cooling with water and wet sponges (see Lesson 4.1). Do not let them get up and continue running.
8. Hand over to medics. Tell them what you saw: when the runner collapsed, what signs came before, what you did and for how long.

Who stays and who continues#

Your pacing group still needs a pacer. Agree this before the race:

• The support pacer closest to the runner stops and helps.
• The leader (or deputy leader) and remaining pacers keep the group going at plan pace, so dozens of other runners are not left without guidance.
• If the situation needs more help, a second pacer can stay.
• Once medics have taken over, the pacer who stayed may rejoin the group if safe, or follow the steps for leaving the team, such as removing the flag.

Record the incident#

After the race, write down what happened while it is fresh: time on your watch, km marker, what you saw, what you did and who took over. Send it to your pacer coordinator and the race director. Do not share details, names or photos on social media.

Key takeaways#

• Prepare: know the emergency number, medical tents, AED locations and who stops in your team.
• Stay safe, then call for help immediately with the exact km marker and side of the road.
• Not breathing normally means CPR and an AED; breathing but unresponsive means recovery position.
• One pacer stays with the runner while the rest of the team keeps the group on pace.
• Hand over clearly to medics and report the incident to the race director, not to social media.