First aid is an important tool in responding to sports-related accidents to ensure that injuries are efficiently dealt with before medical services arrive to provide more specialised treatment.
Whether a minor injury or something more serious like head trauma, preventing further complications when playing sports is important. Ensuring that the coaches, staff, players and other bystanders in the area are first aid trained will help create a safer environment for everyone.
Common Sports Injuries
Accidents and injuries happen, especially during sports. While it is possible to limit the number of unintentional injuries through prevention techniques, one wrong step or action can lead to a sudden and painful injury.
Many possible injuries can happen while playing sports activities. Due to the different nature and severity of common sports injuries, it is a good idea for anyone involved in sports to be familiar with first aid treatment.
Some of the common injuries in sports are classified as either acute or chronic. Acute injuries are those that occur suddenly, such as falls or when a person receives a blow or twists a joint. Chronic injuries, on the hand, happen over time and are also called ‘overuse injuries.’
When injuries happen, it is important to be prepared to act quickly. Ideally, a coach or staff must be trained in first aid and have access to a well-stocked first aid kit.
Benefits Of First Aid In Sports
Here are some of the benefits of having a first aider in the field.
Provide A Quick Response
Some sports accidents are minor and won’t require any professional treatment. In such a case, a speedy response from a first aider can provide the necessary care and will prevent things from getting any worse.
Greater Sense Of Safety
Being trained on different first aid methods will help you and others feel more secure and confident when dealing with sports emergencies.
Save Lives
When dealing with more serious sports injuries (severe concussion, broken leg, etc.), first aid provides an essential role in keeping the condition from getting worse. First aid also helps to stabilise their condition before the arrival of professional help.
CPR plays an important role in first aid emergencies, so having a trained first aider on the game is highly beneficial.
Sports First Aid – Treating Injuries
First aid in a sport setting usually covers minor injuries such as sprains and strains to more serious ones, including concussion and cardiac arrest. Coaches, staff, or other bystanders must be ready to react in any emergencies and apply the correct treatment in a time-measured approach.
Some of the first aid treatments in sports injuries include:
- RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Management of internal and external bleeding
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Use of automated external defibrillators (AED)
- Treatment for muscle and joint injuries
- Broken bones treatment
- Management of asthma attacks and seizures
- First aid for head injuries and concussion
- Recognising chest pain and heart attacks
- First Aid for an unconscious victim
Knowledge of basic first aid procedure help promotes a healthy, secure, and safer environment. It also instils confidence among players, coaches, staff, and other bystanders in the area.
Not just the medical help first aid intervention provides, but the confidence it gives is very helpful during emergencies. Thus, being trained in first aid is useful to oneself and the community.
Get Trained
If you are interested in finding out more about the application of first aid and how they can help in a sports setting, we offer comprehensive in-person and online learning courses in first aid and CPR.
These courses are nationally recognised and can be accessed in many of our training venues Australia-wide.
For more information, visit our course page or contact our team at courses@firstaidpro.com.au.
