Recommended contents for Sports First Aid Kits
The following are recommended as being the minimum requirement which should be in place at every sports occasion i.e. training sessions or a match. In other words, when something is used from the kit, it should be replaced before the next sports occasion.
DO NOT have the following in a sports first aid kit: -
Any form of heat agent such as Deep Heat, Ralgex, Wintergreen, Radian B, Tiger Balm or any similar product. There is not one single incidence in the first aid treatment of sports injury where heat agents should be used. In the vast majority of cases heat treatment will cause more damage and pain to the athlete.
Smelling salts should also be removed from all first aid kits. If an athlete has received a head injury/concussion and are either unconscious or drowsy, placing smelling salts under their nose will cause them to pull their head away from the salts and risks damaging their neck.
Aspirin should never be given to an athlete who develops a headache from either a blow to the head or damage to the eyes, ears, nose, or throat. Headaches in these instances can be treated with Paracetamol.
Asthmatic attack An asthmatic player should not be allowed play unless they have their own inhaler. As a minimum, a phone must be available to summon emergency medical assistance.
Bleeding The first requirement here is for the coach/first aid personnel to wear surgical gloves. These are commonly made from latex to which some people have an allergic reaction. There are non-latex gloves, which should be used in such a case. Buy a box of 100 gloves. At least 6 gloves should be in a kit for each match or training occasion.
Antiseptic wipes are the second requirement here but saline solution can be used instead. Saline is very useful to have in a kit anyway. A wound wash such as SavlonTM Wound Wash is a suitable alternative. 100 wipes will cost in the order of €3.00. Have at least 10 wipes in a kit at any one time.
Gauze swabs are very useful to clean a wound if using something like a wound wash and are useful to soak up blood generally. 100 small swabs will cost anywhere around €10.00 and large ones will cost €20.00. Have about 20 swabs in your kit on any single occasion.
The next requirement is for clean dressings, which are used with anything other than the most minor of cuts and abrasions. For minor cuts a standard adhesive plaster should be used. The first aid kit should contain at least 20 of these in assorted sizes. With children, it is preferable to use hypoallergenic plasters as some children are allergic to the adhesive used in some plasters. The dressings cost less than €1.00 each and are sterile until they are opened. Smith & Nephew’s Propax are an excellent brand.
A popular product is the steri strip skin closure system. These are extremely effective if used properly but they are also expensive. Make sure you know how to apply them correctly.
Broken bone A minimum of 4 triangular bandages (about €2.00 each)
Concussion An pencil light to check the player’s pupils (about €4.00)
Diabetic attack Some sugar in a sachet or dextrose solution available from a chemist.
Eye injury At least two eye wash miniature bottles (about €3.00) should be in a
kit at any one time. In addition, two separate eye pad dressings should also be included in the kit.
Fractured bone The 4 triangular bandages above (see broken bone) may also be used
in this case unless the fracture is to a finger or toe.
Hypothermia A foil blanket (disposable).
Shock A foil blanket (disposable)
Soft tissue injury The Smith & Nephew elasticated crepe bandages are the best on the
market. They come in three widths 5cm, 7.5cm and 10cm. You
should have at least one of each in your kit.
We strongly recommend having disposable instant cold packs or the reusable cold gel packs provided you have some manner of keeping it cold when you remove it from your freezer compartment.
In addition to a penlight as detailed under concussion, the kit should contain a tweezers and a paramedic shears both of which are available for under €10.00 for the set.
Make sure if you are giving any over the counter medication that the athlete understands what they are taking and they are taking it voluntarily.