Epinephrine Protocol

Step by step, what Rainbow DJ Lab adults do if a child with a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector shows signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Status

These policies were adopted by the Ras Tafari Inc. board on October 17, 2026. The Lab is proposed, with no staff hired and no class dates set. This protocol takes effect before the first class, as part of the launch checklist.

The rules in one place

We use the child's own auto-injector, prescribed for that child and given to us by the parent. The Lab does not keep its own "stock" epinephrine.
We follow the child's own plan, a FARE Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (or equivalent) signed by the child's health care provider, and the prescriber's orders. We don't improvise doses or timing.
A trained adult carries it. The auto-injector stays within reach of an adult who has been shown how to use it and holds current pediatric first aid/CPR/AED certification. It is never locked away and never left in a bag across the room.
911 every time. Whenever epinephrine is given, we call 911, even if the child seems better.
Sessions are food-free by default. This lowers the risk in the first place.

A note on Illinois school law

Illinois has laws about epinephrine in schools (in the Illinois School Code), including school-stocked epinephrine and student self-carry. The Rainbow DJ Lab is not a school, and we do not claim those provisions apply to us. Instead we rely on each child's own plan, the prescriber's orders and the parent's signed authorization.

Before the first class

Step	Who	When
Parent gives a signed FARE plan (or equivalent) and a signed medication authorization	Parent or guardian	Before the first class
Parent hands over the auto-injector(s) in the pharmacy packaging with the prescription label. If the plan calls for a second dose, two devices are needed	Parent or guardian	At sign-in every session, unless the device stays with the Lab by agreement
Lead adult checks the name on the label, the expiration date and the device type, and reads the plan	Lead adult	At sign-in every session
Trained adult practices with a trainer device for that brand, if one is available	Trained adult	Before the first class
All adults in the room learn which children have plans and where the device is	Every adult	Before the first class

If the device is missing or expired, the child does not stay that day. We'll explain why at sign-in.

If a child shows signs of a reaction

Signs can include trouble breathing, wheezing or repeated coughing; throat tightness, hoarse voice or trouble swallowing; swelling of the lips, tongue or face; widespread hives; repeated vomiting; feeling faint, pale or confused; or a sense that "something bad is happening." The child's plan lists the signs that mean "give epinephrine now."

Steps (in order):

Recognize. Any adult who sees signs says it out loud ("Allergy emergency at Station 2") so the second adult hears.
Give epinephrine per the plan. The trained adult gives the child's auto-injector exactly as the plan and device directions say, usually into the outer thigh. When the plan says to give it, we give it without waiting to see if things get worse.
Call 911. The second adult calls 911 right away and says: "A child is having anaphylaxis. Epinephrine was given at [time]." They give the location in the park. If only one adult can act, they give epinephrine first, then call 911 on speaker.
Position the child as the plan directs. Commonly that means lying down with legs raised; if breathing is hard or the child is vomiting, they may sit up or lie on their side. The child is not made to stand or walk.
Call the parent. As soon as 911 is called, the second adult (or the lead adult) calls the parent or guardian, then the emergency contact if the parent doesn't answer.
Second dose per the plan. If the plan and the prescriber's orders allow a second dose (for example, if symptoms don't improve or come back after a set number of minutes), the trained adult gives the second device as directed.
Never leave the child. One adult stays with the child the entire time, until EMS takes over. The other adult moves the rest of the class away, keeps them calm and keeps ratio.
Send the used injector with EMS. Hand the used device(s), the child's plan and the time(s) given to the paramedics.
Record. Write down the times of the first signs, each dose and the 911 call, while they're fresh.

Roles at a glance

Role	Action	Timing
Trained adult	Gives epinephrine per plan, stays with the child, gives second dose if the plan says to	Seconds, at first qualifying sign
Second adult	Calls 911, then parent; directs EMS to the spot; supervises other children	Immediately after "allergy emergency" is called
Lead adult (if a third adult is present)	Meets EMS at the entrance, handles the class, starts the incident record	During the emergency
Stephen Henry	Is informed right away; follows up with the family	Same day

Afterward

The parent is told what happened by phone right away. A written incident report follows within 24 hours. See Incident Reporting.
The child returns only after the parent confirms a replacement device and any updated plan.
We review what happened: where the allergen came from, how fast we acted and what to change.

What you'll be told

At enrollment: who the trained adult is (once staff are cleared), where the device is kept during class, and this protocol.
During an emergency: a phone call as soon as 911 has been called. You'll hear what time epinephrine was given, how many doses, and where EMS is taking your child.
Within 24 hours: a written incident report.

Sources

FARE, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-anaphylaxis-emergency-care-plan
American Red Cross, First Aid/CPR/AED (including anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector use): https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
American Heart Association, Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: https://cpr.heart.org