What is in a Sports First Aid Kit?
Sports First Aid Kits for contact sports such as football, rugby, netball, basketball, and hockey require fully stocked first aid kits for the treatment of common sports injuries. Non-contact, individual or lower risk sports such as golf, cycling, tennis, and running also require sports first aid kits, for some sportspersons a personal or compact travel sports first aid kit will be sufficient.
All sports teams and sporting events should possess first aid equipment that is appropriate for common injuries. When an incident occurs on the field, pitch side treatment is crucial to safeguarding the health of those involved.
As a minimum a Sports First Aid Kit needs to contain items suitable to treat minor injuries, this could include bandages, microporous tape and safety pins to secure the bandage, saline cleansing wipes to clean wounds and grazes, ice packs for soft tissue damage and disposable vinyl gloves for personal protection.
Which common Sports Injuries require First Aid
Sportspersons can suffer frequent, minor injuries that may require first aid treatment these include bruises, sprains, strains, joint injuries and nose bleeds. Immediate treatment using first aid followed by appropriate medical investigation is important, as leaving an injury untreated can have far more severe consequences.
Tending to minor knocks and scrapes effectively, will ensure players are able to return to the action safely and swiftly. In the event of a more serious altercation, such as a fractured bone or break, the right items can prevent further damage being inflicted to the injured area, whilst the person waits for medical support.
Treating sporting injuries using First Aid
For soft tissue injuries such as bruising and sprains the Rest Ice Compression Elevation (RICE) method is widely used.
Rest - may involve the sports player being retired from the activity and discouraged from further sports for 48-72 hours to allow healing.
Ice - Ice packs should be applied to the affected area every 2-3 hours. Sports First Aid Kits contain instant ice packs, these packs contain water and a chemical that reacts to provide instant cooling when squeezed or shook.
Compression - A special compression bandage can be obtained for most soft tissue injuries from your local pharmacy. Sports First Aid Kits will contain a crepe bandage whereas more comprehensive premium kits will contain compression bandages along with other specials first aid product such as wound closure strips.
Elevation: Keeping the injured area elevated can reduce swelling.
View our range of hot and cold therapy, bandages and sports tapes.
Whilst first aid provides immediate management of an injury, professional medical assistance should be sought in the event of any serious injury or concussion.
Sports First Aid Courses
First Aid courses for those involved in sporting activities such as, referees, coaches, or players are available from a range of training providers. These courses tend to cover how to deal with common sports injuries, such as adult and child resuscitation (CPR), bone, muscle and joint injuries, chest pains, concussion, and head injuries. However, these courses generally do not meet Health and Safety Executive requirements to become a qualified workplace first aider. This requires specific training. You can view a range of our recommended Qualsafe approved First Aid Courses provided by Wallace Cameron Training here.
Types of Sports First Aid Kits we offer:
The easiest way to ensure you have everything you may need is to buy a pre-packed Sports First Aid Kit. These specialist kits come in a range of sizes that cater to clubs and events of all levels. If you have a kit that has been in use for some time, a stock take of essential items will ensure each is fit for purpose. For example, you will need to regularly check that heat and freeze sprays still work and that sterile items are still in date.
Blue Dot Essential Sports First Aid Kit in Blue Bag
This Blue Dot sports kit is small enough to be portable but large enough to contain all of the essential items for the treatment of minor sporting injuries. The compact design and easy access zip has proved popular with our customers.
Blue Dot Sports Kit in Orange Bag Various Sizes
Ideal for first aid incidents on the pitch, court or course, our Sports First Aid Kits are designed to be easily carried while holding enough content to treat all minor sporting injuries. These first aid kits are bright orange with a reflective strip ensuring easy visibility.
Blue Dot Small Sports Kit in Small Orange Bag
Blue Dot Small Sports First Aid Kit contains all the items required for treating minor injuries on the playing field. Ideal for the serious sports enthusiast - suitable for rugby, hockey, football, netball, and cricket. Supplied in a handy zip bag which is bright orange for visibility. Ideal for small sports teams and minor sporting injuries.
Blue Dot Medium Sports First Aid Kit in Orange Bag
This medium sized kit is in an orange bag and contains additional items such as freeze and heat sprays.
Blue Dot Large Sports First Aid Kit in Orange Bag
Blue Dot Large Sports Kit is a more comprehensive first aid kit for the serious sports enthusiast. It contains a wide variety of products for managing sporting injuries in a larger team or group. The highly visible, bright orange zip bag has 8 internal pockets and is ideal for larger sports teams. It contains specialist items such as thermal foil blanket and adhesive skin / wound closure strips.
Specialist Horse and Rider Equine First Aid Kits
For owners and riders of horses our professional Equine First aid kits are carefully curated to protect both the rider and their horse. Each kit offers different components to suit different situations, whether in a busy stable or on the move. The components in these kits are suitable for use on both humans and animals and include larger dressings for the horse. Using these kits can help reduce risks of infection or further damage to the horse or rider.
Personal First Aid Kits
These smaller portable kits offer a range of first aid treatments suited to individual or low impact sports such as cycling, walking or golf. We offer several options including kits contained in a bumbag which can be kept on hand being whilst being worn by the sportsperson.
Considering buying a Defibrillator or AED for a sports team or sports venue?
Many sports and community clubs are prepared for more serious and unexpected incidents such as sudden cardiac arrest, by purchasing AEDs, commonly referred to as defibrillators. Recently, The Premier League announced that it will fund the provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at thousands of grassroots football clubs and facilities, highlighting the important role these devices play in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
We offer a range of compact and affordable defibrillator bundles, semi-automatic and fully automatic portable defibrillator units.
You can view the range here.
At First Aid Warehouse we stock a range of sports first aid kits of all sizes. You’ll also find first aid refill packs that are ideal for ensuring you’re regularly replenishing the items you need.