FIRST AID FOR COACHES
By Matt Clark, A.T.C.,P.T.A.
Sports are a great way to stay in shape and to get involved in a fun activity. Unfortunately, some of the occupational hazards of participation include injuries everything from a cut to a sprained ligament or fracture. Unless you have your M.D., never assume the role of a doctor. However, as a coach, you still need to know basic procedures for minor injuries that more likely than not, you’ll encounter. Learn as much about first aid as possible. Of course, all the knowledge in the world won’t mean a thing if you don’t have a well-stocked first-aid kit. Have one with you at all times. Also, ensure that you know where the closest phone is at every practice and game, in case you need to call for emergency help. First aid procedures
One of the most important aspects of first aid is to know when and how to administer help. Understand your limitations; serious injuries, especially to the neck, head or back should always be taken care of by a trained professional. When minor injuries occur, however, there are certain procedures you can use to help the injured athlete. Cleanse the wound.
CUTS AND BRUISES: The most common injuries you’re going to see are cuts, scrapes and bruises. When a player has a cut or scrape, and is bleeding, apply pressure. Once the bleeding is controlled, cleanse the wound; make sure to get all of the dirt out by scrubbing with soapy water. Finally, protect the wound to prevent secondary infection. Use a Band-Aid, sterile gauze or other adequate padding. Bruises, though usually not serious, still need attention. They’re often accompanied by pain, swelling and stiffness. The best treatment is to apply ice through a styrofoam cup. Freeze water in cups and keep them handy in a chest, along with bags of crushed or cubed ice for more serious injuries. When needed, peel away the top part of the cup, expose the ice and massage the bruised area. The ice massage is extremely effective for focusing the cooling on one particular spot. Squeeze the nose.
NOSEBLEEDS: In the event of a nosebleed, have the player keep his head elevated while squeezing the nose with the thumb and index finger. Squeeze firmly so there is enough pressure to stop the bleeding. After 15 to 30 minutes, the athlete can usually return to play. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped, take the player to the doctor.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES: These types of injures affect joints and muscles; they include sprains and strains. Often, people get these two injuries confused with each other. The difference is that a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, while a sprain is an injury to a ligament. The injuries may simply be a minor overstretching or a partial or complete tear. The more severe the injury, though, the more pain and disability the athlete experiences. Most of these injuries require careful evaluation by an athletic trainer or a physician. However, proper first aid at the time of the injury can greatly reduce the discomfort and speed the athlete’s return to play. The primary goal in treatment is to limit the swelling that occurs in the hours following the accident. To remember the proper sequence when treating a soft tissue injury, remember the word RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compressions, and Elevations. Rest the injured area, apply ice to reduce swelling and limit pain, apply a firm compression bandage as support, and elevate the limb. Ice is extremely important for soft tissue injuries; it can be applied in the form of an ice pack or ice massage (See Cuts and Bruises above). Also, you can place a bag of cubed or crushed ice over two layers of an elastic bandage and wrap it over the injury. The compression of the bandage helps keep any extra fluid out of the injured area. After the ice and elastic bandage have been applied, elevate the injured area. The limb should be propped up so that it’s higher than the heart; this allows any fluids that are collecting to drain away. Immobilize a fractured limb.
FRACTURES: A fracture is a breaking of a bone. Fractures in younger athletes are not as obvious as they are in older athletes. Instead of a clean break, there may be a bending of the bone or an incomplete fracture. Fortunately, these injuries heal much faster, but they need to be immobilized and treated like any complete fracture. The rule of thumb here is if you suspect a fracture, then treat it as a fracture. If it’s a sprain, treat it the same way. The first thing you want to do with a fracture is immobilize the injured bone or joint. If a finger or toe is broken, apply a cold compress and elevate it above the injured player’s heart. Place a small cloth or piece of cotton between the injured digit and an uninjured one, and then tape them together. Whatever you do, never attempt to straighten or change the position of any misshapen bone or joint. Take the victim to a doctor or emergency room.
For more on this topic visit www.learn-sports.com/injuries Matthew Clark, A.T.C., P.T.A. is a certified athletic trainer and physical therapist assistant at Hilton Head Sports Medicine.