Southern Amateur Football League

The FA have two specific medical courses that should be mandatory for those providing a pitchside first aid service, which the AFA can deliver;

Level 1 FA Emergency Aid - 3 hours duration
Level 2 FA First Aid For Sport - 21 hours duration (14 hours contact 7 hours distance learning which may be done over several weeks).

Clubs have a duty of care for all participants playing under their jurisdiction. It is incumbent on each club to ensure! that at least one qualified, competent first-aider is pitchside. Whenever players are engaged in training or match activities.

All pitchside personnel should be trained to deal with any emergency (life-threatening) situation that may arise. Clubs should not rely on the 'medical' support from the opposing teams as the provision of care may be far from adequate.

The 'Routine' Pitch-side Medical Bag

Whatever the type of medical bag carried, it is incumbent on the 'first-aider' to be 'clinically' competent in the use of its contents; the contents will to a large degree reflect the level of medical skill of its 'owner'.

Clearly, the 'first-aider' should not carry any items of medical equipment or supplies that he/she is untrained to use or dispense.

The more common items carried would include;

1. Bandages and Tapes
Both elasticated and non-elasticated materials (in a range of sizes to accommodate all body parts and shapes) will be required. One should also be aware of allergies that may result from contact with certain adhesives.

2. Due to the inherent dangers of blood-borne diseases it is now incumbent on any 'first-aider' to protect him/herself from any blood with which he / she may come in contact by using disposable nitride (non-allergenic) gloves. These are a 'must carry' item for any responsible 'first aider'.

3. 'Sterile' dressings should be carried if you are to successfully arrest superficial bleeding; adhesive plasters are a necessary adjunct for the minor cuts and abrasions. Again, one should also be aware of allergies that may result from contact with certain adhesives.

4. Additional items which it would be useful to carry in the 'on-field' bag are sterile non adherent wound dressings, triangular bandages, eye pads, and wipes.

On the use of 'cold sprays' - these should only be used until a competent clinical evaluation of the injury (SALTAPS - an assessment protocol) has been performed~ .to determine a player's suitability to return to activity.

5. Spray Water Bottle
Sprays must not be used as a masking agent in an attempt to alleviate a player's symptoms when significant injury has been sustained e.g. muscle contusion, ligament sprain, muscle strain. Furthermore, cold sprays should not be used as a medium to sanction a player's return to activity when the clinical examination indicates otherwise. Be aware that inappropriate and over zealous application of the spray has been known to result in a superficial skin burn. If cold therapy IS considered appropriate, a safer more economical and practical alternative might be to use iced-water from a spray bottle.

6. Scissors are essential for cutting and removing tapes and bandage; they may also be required to cut through the clothing of an injured player to expose tile injured body part when conducting the initial assessment. The scissors should be of the 'safety' type with brightly coloured handles for ease of identification S110UId they be dropped and remain on the playing surface.

Advice

1. Never let anyone tamper with the first aid bag.

2. Always place the same items in the same location within the bag. It is vitally important that the items that are required are at hand when they are most needed.

3. A further practical tip is to keep a list of the nearest local Accident and Emergency Units, hospitals and medical facilities posted Within the vicinity of the training ground or match pitch (or on a card within the bag); The proximity of these facilities may ultimately govern the initial management of a casualty.

4. The wearing of appropriate, well-maintained footwear of suitably-sized shin pads the removal of jewellery / watches / hair clips Laws of the Game), playing between secure goalposts, and not chewing food or sweets during activity are all sensible measures.

Contents of a ‘routine’ medical bag

Crepe bandages
Elastic adhesive bandage (EAB), various sizes
Elastic / self-adhesive / tearable bandages, various sizes
Zinc oxide tape (inelastic), various sizes
Disposable nitride gloves
Gauze swabs
Plasters (non-allergic / waterproof)
Sterile non-adherent wound dressings, various sizes
Triangular bandages
Eye pads
Spray bottle (for iced water)
Scissors (safety type)

Important safety notice

This article is for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. Whilst anyone in the vicinity is considered to be a potential first aider medical care should be delivered by a qualified healthcare professional.

For any details concerning First Aid matters, please contact Mike Brown at the AFA Office on 0844 980 8207.

SAL Referees and Players Group Advice to Clubs on First Aid

Whilst it is understood that it would not be possible for all games to have a qualified first aider at pitch-side, it is felt that all too often there is not enough consideration given to the treatment and care of injured players, and whilst serious injuries would require the attendance of qualified staff such as Paramedics, or at the very least a St. John Ambulance crew, all too often it is felt that the more run of the mill injuries such as cuts and scratches receive what can be best described as inadequate treatment, and frequently there is nothing more than a bottle of water al pitch-side which usually doubles up as a drinking vessel, or a dirty bucket full of muddy water and a germ ridden sponge with all the health implications that go with it.

All clubs should have an Appointed Medical Officer whose duties should include responsibility for ensuring that the Club has a full stock of items to equip each bag and to liaise with Team Captains I Managers to ensure that all first aid kits are fully stocked for each match and fit for use.

Where dubs have grounds with multiple pitches, it would be advisable for a qualified first aider to be in attendance at all times when 3 or more pitches are in use simultaneously, and with this in mind clubs should be encouraged to appoint a qualified pitchside first aider or arrange to seek volunteers to attend FA approved basic training courses, details of which can be found on the FA website.

First Aid – clean and cover

All clubs should carry a first aid kit - not just a dirty, old, germ ridden sponge in a filthy bucket - and ideally in the care of someone who has done the County FA organised first aid course. Home teams must ensure that clean water is available to both teams. In the absence of a qualified first aider stick to the very simple basics by making it possible for injured players to clean and cover cuts and scratches.

Get qualified help for anything more serious. Do not send players with head, mouth or eye wounds back on to the pitch without careful examination. Basically, make sure an injured player has access to clean water to sluice cuts and scratches and a previously unopened, secure plaster or bandage to cover wounds (having dried the affected area first). And make sure they don't get blood on their hands or kit (or anybody else); if they do the match officials may not allow them back onto the field of play.

NOTE

Home teams must ensure that clean water is available to both teams. In the absence of a qualified first aid person please stick to the very simple First aid basics by making it possible for injured players to clean and cover cuts and scratches (having dried the affected area first) with a secure plaster or bandage to cover wounds. Any serious injury will need qualified help. Players with head, mouth or eye wounds should not be allowed back onto the pitch without careful examination. Please remember that any player with blood on their person or kit (or anybody else) may not be allowed back onto the field of play by the match officials.

Any serious injuries will require the attendance of qualified medical personnel such as Paramedics. Clubs should ensure that all First Aid Bags are fully stocked throughout the season and maintain a policy never to use a dirty, old, germ ridden sponge in a filthy bucket to treat any injuries (please at all times refer to the information above for guidance covering First Aid).

First Aid Guidance from the A.F.A.
	The FA have two specific medical courses that should be mandatory for those providing a pitchside first aid service, which the AFA can deliver; Level 1 FA Emergency Aid - 3 hours duration Level 2 FA First Aid For Sport - 21 hours duration (14 hours contact 7 hours distance learning which may be done over several weeks). Clubs have a duty of care for all participants playing under their jurisdiction. It is incumbent on each club to ensure! that at least one qualified, competent first-aider is pitchside. Whenever players are engaged in training or match activities. All pitchside personnel should be trained to deal with any emergency (life-threatening) situation that may arise. Clubs should not rely on the 'medical' support from the opposing teams as the provision of care may be far from adequate. The 'Routine' Pitch-side Medical Bag Whatever the type of medical bag carried, it is incumbent on the 'first-aider' to be 'clinically' competent in the use of its contents; the contents will to a large degree reflect the level of medical skill of its 'owner'. Clearly, the 'first-aider' should not carry any items of medical equipment or supplies that he/she is untrained to use or dispense. The more common items carried would include; 1. Bandages and Tapes Both elasticated and non-elasticated materials (in a range of sizes to accommodate all body parts and shapes) will be required. One should also be aware of allergies that may result from contact with certain adhesives. 2. Due to the inherent dangers of blood-borne diseases it is now incumbent on any 'first-aider' to protect him/herself from any blood with which he / she may come in contact by using disposable nitride (non-allergenic) gloves. These are a 'must carry' item for any responsible 'first aider'. 3. 'Sterile' dressings should be carried if you are to successfully arrest superficial bleeding; adhesive plasters are a necessary adjunct for the minor cuts and abrasions. Again, one should also be aware of allergies that may result from contact with certain adhesives. 4. Additional items which it would be useful to carry in the 'on-field' bag are sterile non adherent wound dressings, triangular bandages, eye pads, and wipes. On the use of 'cold sprays' - these should only be used until a competent clinical evaluation of the injury (SALTAPS - an assessment protocol) has been performed~ .to determine a player's suitability to return to activity. 5. Spray Water Bottle Sprays must not be used as a masking agent in an attempt to alleviate a player's symptoms when significant injury has been sustained e.g. muscle contusion, ligament sprain, muscle strain. Furthermore, cold sprays should not be used as a medium to sanction a player's return to activity when the clinical examination indicates otherwise. Be aware that inappropriate and over zealous application of the spray has been known to result in a superficial skin burn. If cold therapy IS considered appropriate, a safer more economical and practical alternative might be to use iced-water from a spray bottle. 6. Scissors are essential for cutting and removing tapes and bandage; they may also be required to cut through the clothing of an injured player to expose tile injured body part when conducting the initial assessment. The scissors should be of the 'safety' type with brightly coloured handles for ease of identification S110UId they be dropped and remain on the playing surface. Advice 1. Never let anyone tamper with the first aid bag. 2. Always place the same items in the same location within the bag. It is vitally important that the items that are required are at hand when they are most needed. 3. A further practical tip is to keep a list of the nearest local Accident and Emergency Units, hospitals and medical facilities posted Within the vicinity of the training ground or match pitch (or on a card within the bag); The proximity of these facilities may ultimately govern the initial management of a casualty. 4. The wearing of appropriate, well-maintained footwear of suitably-sized shin pads the removal of jewellery / watches / hair clips Laws of the Game), playing between secure goalposts, and not chewing food or sweets during activity are all sensible measures. Contents of a ‘routine’ medical bag Crepe bandages Elastic adhesive bandage (EAB), various sizes Elastic / self-adhesive / tearable bandages, various sizes Zinc oxide tape (inelastic), various sizes Disposable nitride gloves Gauze swabs Plasters (non-allergic / waterproof) Sterile non-adherent wound dressings, various sizes Triangular bandages Eye pads Spray bottle (for iced water) Scissors (safety type) Important safety notice This article is for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. Whilst anyone in the vicinity is considered to be a potential first aider medical care should be delivered by a qualified healthcare professional. For any details concerning First Aid matters, please contact Mike Brown at the AFA Office on 0844 980 8207. SAL Referees and Players Group Advice to Clubs on First Aid Whilst it is understood that it would not be possible for all games to have a qualified first aider at pitch-side, it is felt that all too often there is not enough consideration given to the treatment and care of injured players, and whilst serious injuries would require the attendance of qualified staff such as Paramedics, or at the very least a St. John Ambulance crew, all too often it is felt that the more run of the mill injuries such as cuts and scratches receive what can be best described as inadequate treatment, and frequently there is nothing more than a bottle of water al pitch-side which usually doubles up as a drinking vessel, or a dirty bucket full of muddy water and a germ ridden sponge with all the health implications that go with it. All clubs should have an Appointed Medical Officer whose duties should include responsibility for ensuring that the Club has a full stock of items to equip each bag and to liaise with Team Captains I Managers to ensure that all first aid kits are fully stocked for each match and fit for use. Where dubs have grounds with multiple pitches, it would be advisable for a qualified first aider to be in attendance at all times when 3 or more pitches are in use simultaneously, and with this in mind clubs should be encouraged to appoint a qualified pitchside first aider or arrange to seek volunteers to attend FA approved basic training courses, details of which can be found on the FA website. First Aid – clean and cover All clubs should carry a first aid kit - not just a dirty, old, germ ridden sponge in a filthy bucket - and ideally in the care of someone who has done the County FA organised first aid course. Home teams must ensure that clean water is available to both teams. In the absence of a qualified first aider stick to the very simple basics by making it possible for injured players to clean and cover cuts and scratches. Get qualified help for anything more serious. Do not send players with head, mouth or eye wounds back on to the pitch without careful examination. Basically, make sure an injured player has access to clean water to sluice cuts and scratches and a previously unopened, secure plaster or bandage to cover wounds (having dried the affected area first). And make sure they don't get blood on their hands or kit (or anybody else); if they do the match officials may not allow them back onto the field of play. NOTE Home teams must ensure that clean water is available to both teams. In the absence of a qualified first aid person please stick to the very simple First aid basics by making it possible for injured players to clean and cover cuts and scratches (having dried the affected area first) with a secure plaster or bandage to cover wounds. Any serious injury will need qualified help. Players with head, mouth or eye wounds should not be allowed back onto the pitch without careful examination. Please remember that any player with blood on their person or kit (or anybody else) may not be allowed back onto the field of play by the match officials. Any serious injuries will require the attendance of qualified medical personnel such as Paramedics. Clubs should ensure that all First Aid Bags are fully stocked throughout the season and maintain a policy never to use a dirty, old, germ ridden sponge in a filthy bucket to treat any injuries (please at all times refer to the information above for guidance covering First Aid).