2 of 5

Write now Article Tools

While sports activities can be great fun, providing healthy exercise, invigorating competition, and relaxation, they can also put participants at risk for injury. While the casual athlete may not need to think much about first aid, coaches, trainers, and even parents who are involved in team sports may wish to be prepared to supply first aid for injured athletes. I will discuss basic first aid for recreational athletes according to common types of injuries and the supplies needed to handle each one.

Blisters, scrapes and cuts are extremely common during sports activities. Gymnasts commonly "rip" the skin on their hands while doing events on the bars or rings. Baseball players scrape their arms or legs sliding into base. Basketball players get floor burns, and any contact sport can cause cuts. For any opening in the skin, the area needs to be well irrigated with water, cleansed gently with a damp washcloth, and dressed with band-aids or gauze before the player can go back on the field. So supplies for cuts and scrapes should include: two or three bottles of water; two clean, damp washcloths stored in plastic sandwich bags; a supply of small and large band aids, gauze pads, gauze rolls, and non-allergenic tape.

Blunt injuries can cause everything from soft tissue bruises to bone bruises to twisted knees, ankles, or shoulders, to broken bones. These injuries are very common for all contact sports, as well as in sports where falling is a risk, as in gymnastics, ice skating, and skiing. For treatment of these injuries, it is important to remember the mnemonic RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. So if someone twists their ankle, for instance, have them sit down, elevate their ankle, apply a cold pack - the kind that gets cold after you break the seal works well - and apply pressure - an elastic wrap works well. The same general treatment applies to large bruises, sprains and even fractures. So, supplies for bruises, sprains, and possible fractures include: Ice packs and one or two four inch and six inch ace bandages (the larger the joint, the larger the elastic bandage).

It is also helpful to have acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen on hand to help decrease pain from injuries. For treating dehydration, especially in the summer months, water bottles and sports drinks are essential to have on hand. A four ounce bottle of saline for contact lenses is also helpful to have on hand to rinse out foreign bodies or dust from someone's eye or to rinse off a popped-out contact lens before reinsertion.

While most of us play recreational sports without worrying too much about injuries, being prepared for basic first aid, with supplies that can fit in a lunch box or small backpack, can address many of the common injuries experienced by recreational athletes. And think how good you'll feel when you're the one who's come prepared to help.

Learn more about this author, Harriet Squier.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to prepare for sports first aid?
We want to hear your view. Write now!