Check, Call, Care Emergency Relay
A team relay where each runner brings back a card with an emergency action and the team must sort the cards into the three steps Check, Call, Care. Students learn what to do at the scene of an accident while working on speed and team reasoning.
How to play
- Spend 3 minutes explaining Check, Call, Care with an example: a friend crashes their bike on the street. First check the scene is safe, then call 911, and finally care for the person.
- Make 5 teams of 5 in colored pinnies. About 20 yards away, set a cone for each team with 9 face-down cards: "make the area safe," "call 911," "give your location," "check if they respond," "do not move them if their neck hurts"...
- On the signal, the first runner goes, grabs one card and comes back to tag the next teammate. Continue until all 9 cards are back.
- The team sorts the cards into three columns on the ground (Check, Call, Care) and raises their hands when done.
- The teacher checks: 1 point per correctly placed card and 2 bonus points for the first team with no mistakes. Each round takes about 5 minutes.
- Play 3 rounds with different scenarios (swimming pool, hiking trail, school playground) and new cards each time.
Rules
- Grab only one card per trip.
- Tag off with a high five behind the start cone.
- Every team member must help sort the cards.
- Run in separate lanes and slow down before reaching the pile.
Variations
Easier
Use only 6 cards, two for each step.
Standard
Use 9 cards sorted into three columns.
Harder
Add trick cards with wrong actions ("give water to someone who is unconscious") that must be thrown out.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student leads the card sorting or runs a shorter distance.
- Visual impairment: use large-print cards with an icon and have teammates read them aloud.
- Lower fitness: allow brisk walking or shorten the distance to 10 yards.
Learning goals
- Know and sequence the Check, Call, Care steps at an emergency.
- Tell correct first-aid actions from incorrect ones.
- Reason as a team under time pressure.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cards: 45
- cones: 10
- pinnies: 25
Teacher tip
Wrap up by explaining what to tell the 911 dispatcher: what happened, where you are and how many people are hurt. Laminate the cards and store them by scenario so you can reuse them.
PatioLab has "Check, Call, Care Emergency Relay" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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