First Aid In Sport

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Sports/”>First Aid in Sports

Acute Injuries

The primary goal of sports injury first aid is to stop the activity and prevent further injury or damage. Most sports injuries that require immediate treatment are called “acute injuries.” These occur suddenly and generally cause the following symptoms or conditions:

Pain and swelling
Cuts and abrasions
Fractures
Sprains and strains
Concussion

With an acute injury, it’s usually obvious what caused the injury. Nonetheless, determining the exact cause of the injury is an important part of making quick treatment decisions.

The first treatment for most acute soft tissue injuries (bruises, strains, sprains, and tears) is to prevent, stop, and reduce swelling. When soft tissue is damaged, it swells or possibly bleeds internally. This swelling causes pain and loss of motion, which limits the use of the muscles.

Injury First Aid With RICE

The primary treatment to stop swelling of injured soft tissue is with the RICE method. This acronym makes it easy to remember the steps you need to take when treating the injury: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It’s also known as RICE, which does not include “protection,” though that is an important step.

Protection: In this case, protection means stopping activity immediately and protecting the injured part from additional damage.

Rest: Rest the area to allow the Tissues time to heal.

Ice: Applying cold therapy (ice or an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel) to an acute injury reduces swelling and pain. Ice is a vaso-constrictor. It causes the blood vessels to narrow and limits internal bleeding at the injury site. Apply cold to the affected area every two hours for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Allow the skin temperature to return to normal before icing it again. You can ice an acute injury several times a day for up to three days.

Compression: Compression of an acute injury is perhaps the next most important immediate treatment tip. By quickly wrapping the injured body part with an elastic bandage or wrap, you help keep swelling to a minimum. If possible, it’s helpful to apply ice to the injured area over the compression wrap to limit the swelling.

Elevation: Elevating the injured area is another way to reduce the blood flow and swelling to the area.

Soft Tissue Injury Step-By-Step

In summary, here is what you should do immediately when you sustain any soft tissue injury:

Stop the activity immediately.
Wrap the injured part in a compression bandage.
Apply ice to the injured part (use a bag of crushed ice or a bag of frozen vegetables, if needed) for 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Let the area warm completely before applying ice again (to prevent frostbite).
Elevate the injured part to reduce swelling.
Get to a physician for a proper diagnosis of any serious injury.

First Aid for Cuts and Abrasions

If the injury causes a cut or abrasion that leads to bleeding, it’s important to stop the blood flow quickly. Wash the wound with soap and water, and apply an appropriate bandage until medical help arrives. A deep cut will probably require stitches. However, if you can pull the edges of the cut together, you may be able to use a butterfly bandage to hold it closed.

Chronic and Overuse Injuries

While the most dramatic sports injuries are acute and sudden, the majority of sports injuries come on gradually and result in vague aches and pains. The chronic pain of overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, tends to have subtle or vague symptoms that develop slowly. What begins as a small, nagging ache or pain can grow into a debilitating injury if it isn’t recognized and treated early.

Treating overuse injuries requires rest and reducing exercise intensity, frequency, and duration. Icing an overuse injury can also help reduce inflammation and pain. For more serious overuse injuries, physical therapy, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and complete rest may be necessary.

Returning After an Injury

After you’ve treated your injury, what comes next? Most athletes want to know how soon they can return to their sport. This answer tends to be different for everyone because each athlete and each injury is unique. Returning to sports too soon can increase your risk of re-injury or developing a chronic problem that will lead to a longer recovery. Waiting too long, however, can lead to unnecessary fitness declines (deconditioning).

First Aid in Sport

First aid is the immediate assistance given to an injured or ill person until professional medical help is available. It can be provided by anyone, regardless of their medical training.

There are many different types of first aid, but some of the most common include:

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty breathing, hives, and a rash. If you suspect someone is having anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately and give them epinephrine (EpiPen).
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can be triggered by exercise, cold air, or allergies. If you have asthma, it is important to have an asthma action plan and to know how to use your inhaler.
Bleeding can be caused by a cut, scrape, or other injury. It is important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. To do this, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage. If the bleeding is severe, you may need to apply a tourniquet.
Concussion is a type of head injury that can cause loss of consciousness, confusion, and memory problems. If you suspect someone has a concussion, it is important to keep them awake and alert, and to monitor their condition closely.
Drowning is a leading cause of death in children. If someone is drowning, call 911 immediately and pull them out of the water. If they are not breathing, start CPR.
Electrical Shock can cause serious injury or death. If someone is in contact with an electrical wire, do not touch them. Call 911 and use a non-conducting object, such as a broom handle, to move them away from the wire.
Eye Injuries can be caused by a variety of things, including foreign objects, chemicals, and blunt trauma. If you have an eye injury, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness that is usually caused by low blood pressure. If someone faints, lay them down on their back with their legs elevated. If they do not wake up after a few minutes, call 911.
Fractures are breaks in the bones. If you suspect someone has a fracture, do not move them. Call 911 and splint the injured area.
Head Injuries can be serious, even if they do not appear to be. If someone has a head injury, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Heat Exhaustion is caused by dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. If you think you have heat exhaustion, rest in a cool place, drink fluids, and take a cool bath or shower.
Heat Stroke is a more serious condition than heat exhaustion. Symptoms include a high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately.
Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold temperatures. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, and slurred speech. If you think you have hypothermia, get out of the cold and warm up slowly.
Insect Bites and Stings can be painful and itchy, but they are usually not serious. If you are stung by an insect, remove the stinger if possible and apply ice to the area. If you have a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, carry an EpiPen with you at all times.
Sprains and Strains are injuries to the ligaments and tendons. Sprains are caused by stretching or tearing a ligament, while strains are caused by stretching or tearing a tendon. Symptoms of a sprain or strain include pain, swelling, and bruising. If you think you have a sprain or strain, rest the injured area, apply ice, and elevate it.
Stings are caused by insects, such as bees, wasps, and hornets. Symptoms of a sting include pain, swelling, and redness. If you are stung by an insect, remove the stinger if possible and apply ice to the area. If you have a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, carry an EpiPen with you at all times.
Sunburn is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Symptoms of sunburn include redness, pain, and swelling. If you get sunburned, stay out of the sun, apply cool compresses to the area, and drink plenty of fluids.
Wounds can be caused by a variety of things, including cuts, scrapes, and punctures. It is important to clean and dress all wounds to prevent infection. If the wound is deep or bleeding heavily

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about first aid in general:

What is first aid?
First aid is the immediate care given to an injured or ill person until professional medical help arrives.
What are the basic principles of first aid?
The basic principles of first aid are:
- Check the scene to make sure it is safe.
- Call for help.
- Assess the victim’s condition.
- Provide first aid as needed.
- Monitor the victim until help arrives.
What are some common first aid injuries?
Some common first aid injuries include:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Burns
- Fainting
- Allergic reactions
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
What are some first aid supplies that should be on hand?
Some first aid supplies that should be on hand include:
- Band-aids
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Pain relievers
- Thermometer
- First aid manual
How can I learn first aid?
There are many ways to learn first aid, including:
- Taking a first aid class
- Reading a first aid manual
- Watching first aid Videos
- Practicing with a friend or family member
Where can I find more information about first aid?
More information about first aid can be found from the following sources:
- The American Red Cross
- The National Safety Council
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Your local hospital or medical center

Which of the following is not a sign of a concussion?
(A) Headache
(B) Nausea
(C) Vomiting
(D) Feeling sluggish
What should you do if someone is bleeding heavily?
(A) Apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth.
(B) Elevate the wound above the heart.
(C) Apply a tourniquet.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is unconscious?
(A) Check for breathing and a pulse.
(B) Roll the person onto their side.
(C) Call 911.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is choking?
(A) Give them the Heimlich maneuver.
(B) Call 911.
(C) Both A and B.
What should you do if someone is having a heart attack?
(A) Call 911.
(B) Help the person to sit or lie down.
(C) Loosen any tight clothing around the person’s neck and chest.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is having a seizure?
(A) Clear the area around the person.
(B) Time the seizure.
(C) Put something soft under the person’s head.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is allergic to something?
(A) Remove the person from the allergen.
(B) Give the person their EpiPen if they have one.
(C) Call 911.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is burned?
(A) Cool the burn with cool water for 10-15 minutes.
(B) Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth.
(C) Call 911.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone has a broken bone?
(A) Immobilize the bone with a splint or sling.
(B) Call 911.
(C) Do not move the person unless it is absolutely necessary.
(D) All of the above.
What should you do if someone is unconscious and bleeding from a head wound?
(A) Call 911.
(B) Apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth.
(C) Elevate the head and shoulders.
(D) All of the above.

These are just a few examples of first aid questions that you might be asked. It is important to remember that first aid is a complex topic and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to every question. If you are ever unsure about how to handle a first aid situation, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call 911.