Having a well stocked first aid kit is a requirement for a sports team. Whether it is dealing with small injuries like cuts or bruises or more severe ones, it is crucial that you have the necessary equipment and the knowledge of how to use it to deal with injuries.
First Aid Kit Checklist
- Crepe bandage
Crepe bandages, commonly made of cotton, are a woven, elasticated bandage. Crepe bandages are ideal to support the healing of sprains and strains, as they provide good compression to injured areas
- Waterproof dressing
Waterproof dressings are transparent film dressings comprised of Polyurethane (PU) film coated with adhesive. They offer a transparent, waterproof film layer that serves as a bacterial barrier. Although the dressings do repel water they are still porous and thus breathable.
- Sterile dressing
A sterile dressing consisting of a plain absorbent gauze or compress affixed to a film of fabric coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- Plasters
An adhesive strip of material for covering cuts and wounds.
- Wound cleaning wipes
Antiseptic Wipes have a wide variety of uses. The short answer is, they are used for sterilising. Antiseptic wipes kill germs and sanitise skin or whatever surface to which they are applied.
- Nitrile gloves
Nitrile gloves are 6 times stronger than latex and therefore better at avoiding punctures.
- Triangular bandage
A triangular bandage is a large triangle of cloth, also referred to as a cravat, used in first aid. This versatile bandage can be used as an arm sling, cover for head dressing, binding for splint or as a tourniquet. It is ideal for holding first aid dressings or cold packs in place.
- Instant cold pack
Provides on the spot cold therapy for bruises, sports strains and muscle injuries.
- Tape
Tape is used to hold bandages in place until they heal.
- Freeze/Heat Spray
Freeze spray provides a cooling sensation to the area which reduces the blood flow and swelling to the area and helps the healing process whereas Heat Spray generates penetrating warmth in aching, injured and sore muscles.
This is a basic list that all first aid-kits should contain, you will need to consider what your specific sport requires. For example, if you play on an abrasive surface such as astro turf you will likely need burn gel.
Make Sure to Know Where Your First Aid Kit is at All Times
Having the right equipment is only half the battle.
You must make sure that someone is responsible for keeping the first aid kit secure. They need to make sure that all the equipment is kept together and ready to use straight away.
They can be kept together in a backpack or a specially made First Aid Kit Bag.
Ensure your Kit is Kept Up to Date
First aid kits should be updated regularly as all of the items including bandages have a use by date, and the bag should be re-stocked as soon as an item has been used so you are always prepared in case it is needed.
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers in the kit and make sure they are correct
The numbers should include:
- your teams Eircode
- your nearest hospital emergency department that
- your GP
- your local GP Out of Hours Service
Educate your team on how to use the supplies properly
The recognition, assessment, and immediate on-site management of sports injuries are crucial to facilitate rehabilitation and to minimise further risk of harm to the athlete. It is therefore crucial that you have first aid trained and certified members on your coaching staff or associated with your team.
A Sports First Aid Course is ideal for coaches or trainers wishing to be able to deal with minor sports injuries. It covers a comprehensive range of topics to prepare participants to administer Emergency First Aid care for sports injuries. Participants will learn a high level of practical skill so that they can deal competently with first aid situations that may arise as well as receiving a Sports First Aid Course Certificate.
Welcome To Medichem
Welcome to Medichem. We have developed this website to provide the public with high quality, affordable first aid supplies.
Our website consists of a wide-variety of content relating to first-aid kits and supplies. Our helpful blogs will keep you up to date on the most current information and advice around health and safety requirements and new products available as well as providing industry specific insights from health and safety managers and pre-hospital care professionals who between them have hundreds of years of experience.
If you are looking to restock your office first aid kit or ensure that your sports first aid kits at your club contain all of the essential products that you need, Medichem.ie is the site for you.
View our full range of first-aid products on our online shop. Do you have a specific question or query? Contact Medichem today. A member of our team will be more than happy to help.
