First Aid Policy.
1. PURPOSE
To provide clear guidelines for the use of first aid for all within Toton United Football Club. To clarify of roles and responsibilities of first aiders. It is the Policy of Toton United Football Club to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all its members and volunteers.
2. SCOPE
a. This policy applies to all within the club, especially coaches, managers and nominated first aiders.
b. This policy describes the clubs objectives and policies regarding the administered of first aid.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
All Toton United officials who hold First Aid certificates, have a duty of care to provide assistance when required, to level of their competence.
c. Club Committee
d. Welfare Officer
e. Coaches and Managers
f. Parents/guardians
4. General requirements
a. All coaches, managers and first aiders should be aware of the Emergency action plan.
b. All coaches, managers and first aiders should have a plan in place at each location they play/train, should an incident occur.
d. All head bumps must be reported on the first aid incident reporting form and uploaded onto the google shared drive. Parents informed at end of match/training session and this recorded.
e. In the case of a serious, but not life threatening injury, the parent must be contacted as soon as possible. If unavailable and the player has to be taken to the hospital, 2 adults (at least one from the club) must accompany the child.
f. In an emergency ring 112 or 999 for an ambulance first, then contact the parents as soon as possible. If the parents are not present then a member of the club must accompany the child to hospital.
g. All managers, coaches and first aiders must be aware of their players with specific health concerns.
h. Written consent must be gained from a parent or guardian prior to a first aider administering inhalers for a child suffering with Asthma. Children should be able to administer their own inhalers.
5. Routine Medical Bag
a. The first aider should be clinically competent in the use of the contents of the medical bag. The first aider should not carry any items of medical equipment or supplies that she/he is untrained to use or dispense.
b. Due to the possible risk of exposure to blood-borne diseases, it is good practice for the first aider wear a pair of nitrile (not latex) gloves, prior to administering treatment.
c. The use of ‘cold packs and cold sprays’ must not be used as a masking agent in an attempt to alleviate a player’s symptoms when an injury has been sustained. Be aware that inappropriate or overzealous application of this treatment can result in superficial skin ‘burn’. If cold therapy is considered appropriate the then use of iced water from a spray bottle maybe a more practical alternative. Should the player have an injury sever enough for the necessity of ‘cold packs/sprays’ be used, then the player should not return to the field of play until a medical opinion is sort.
Contents of the medical bag
A copy of Toton United’s emergency action plan
crepe bandages
elastic adhesive bandage (eab) (various sizes)
elastic/self-adhesive/tearable bandages (various sizes)
zinc oxide tape (inelastic) (various sizes)
disposable nitrile (non-allergic) gloves
gauze swabs
plasters (non-allergenic/waterproof)
sterile non-adherent wound dressings (various sizes)
triangular bandages
eye pads
antiseptic lotions/wipes
spray bottle (for iced water)
scissors (safety type)
accident/injury forms
Sterile water/sodium chloride (eye irrigation)
6. HEAD BUMP
a. In the case of a head bump the incident must be recorded on the TUFC first aid incident report form, logged on the google drive and the parents informed at the end of the match/training session.
b. Should an player receive a significant bump to the head, the player should be removed from play for the remainder of the game. If a player looses conciseness 999 should be called. Otherwise parents should be informed immediately and the parent advised to seek medical assessment for the child. TUFC first aid incident report form completed.
c. In November 2015, the FA released it's own Concussion Guidelines. The guidance, which is designed to support those managing head injuries in football at all levels, is available as a free-to-download document which you can access below.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: These guidelines are 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.
d. If a player is suspected of having a concussion, they must be immediately removed from the pitch, whether in training or match play. IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT.
Children (18 and under), are
Any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a concussion:
• Dazed, blank or vacant look
• Lying motionless on ground / slow to get up
• Unsteady on feet/ balance problems or falling over/ poor coordination
• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
• Confused / not aware of play or events
• Grabbing / clutching of head
• Seizure (fits)
• More emotional/irritable than normal for that person
f. Symptoms of concussion (what you maybe told by the player)Any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a concussion:
• Dazed, blank or vacant look
• Lying motionless on ground / slow to get up
• Unsteady on feet/ balance problems or falling over/ poor coordination
• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
• Confused / not aware of play or events
• Grabbing / clutching of head
• Seizure (fits)
• More emotional/irritable than normal for that person
g. If any player is suspected of having concussion
(Taken from FA concussion guidelines 2015)
7. ASTHMA
a. Asthma is a common condition, but its severity varies considerably and the occurrence of the condition can be episodic. This means that children can be well for long periods of time and then have sudden acute and potentially fatal relapses.
b. The major principle within this section of the policy is immediate access for all children to reliever medication.
c. Coaches, managers, helpers and parents who supervise children with asthma are therefore asked to make themselves familiar with this section of the policy.
d. Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is caused by a reversible narrowing of the airways to the lungs. It restricts the passage of air both in and out as you breath. The symptoms of asthma occur when the muscles around the airways tighten and the lining of the airway becomes inflamed and start to swell; this leads to a narrowing of the airways.
The usual symptoms of asthma are:
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Being unusually quiet
Difficulty speaking in full sentences
Sometimes younger children will express the feeling of tightness in the chest as a tummy ache.
The symptoms however are rapidly reversible with appropriate medication.
e. It is the parents responsibility to provide the correct reliever inhaler. These treatments give immediate relief and are called bronchodilators because they cause the narrowed air passages to open up by relaxing the airway muscle. However, they do not reduce the inflammation. Some children also use a spacer with the inhaler. If a child is left in your care with a spacer to be used with the inhaler, ask the parent to show you how to use this.
f. Many environmental aspects have an effect on a child’s asthma symptoms. Within football there are three main irritants that may cause exacerbation of Asthma symptoms.
Children with Asthma must have immediate access to their reliever inhaler at all times and therefore every asthmatic child should always carry their own inhaler. Parents of younger children must carry the child’s inhaler. Should the parent not be directly present on the side of the pitch (for example if a parent sits in their car or in the café area at training) then the inhaler should be placed in a clearly named, water proof container and handed to the coach at the start of the session. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure the medication is ‘fit for purpose’ and in date. It is also the parents responsibility to make sure the medication is collected from the coach at the end of the training session/match. If the child has had to use his or her inhaler during the session the parent must be informed.
h. WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD HAS AN ASTHMA ATTACK
If an asthmatic child in your care becomes breathless or wheezy or starts to cough:
i. MANAGEMENT OF A SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKHOW TO RECOGNISE A SEVERE ATTACK
(Adapted from Shefield United FC Asthma guidelines)
8. INCIDENT REPORTING FORMS
a. All serious incidence must be recorded on the clubs shared google drive.
c. Serious accidents include:
d. All serious accidents/incidents should be recorded comprehensively on an Accident/Incident form available from the club website (below).
9. INFORMING PARENTS OF INCIDENTS / ACCIDENTS
a. Parents must be informed of any head bump and directed to the NHS choices minor head injuries information (available on the TUFC website)
b. Parents must be informed of any serious accident /incident, and this recorded on the TUFC first aid incident form.
c. If an ambulance is needed, parents must be informed as soon as possible. Should the parent have not arrived, the ambulance should NOT be delayed, but a member of the club (preferably the coach/manager) MUST accompany the child. The child must never be left to travel alone. If a player needs to be transported in a car and the parent is not present, two adults (one form the club) must accompany the player.
10. MINOR ACCIDENTS / INCIDENTS
Minor incidents involve minor muscle strains, small cuts, grazes and bumps. Only head bumps or incidences where first aid has been provided needs to be recorded. For example a player coming off the pitch and having a pad of gauze applied to a cut to stop it bleeding, followed by an application of a dressing. A player having a nose bleed where she/he has to be removed from the field of play.
11. SERIOUS INCIDENTS / ACCIDENTS
a. Serious accidents include
c. Procedure for dealing with a serious accident
1. PURPOSE
To provide clear guidelines for the use of first aid for all within Toton United Football Club. To clarify of roles and responsibilities of first aiders. It is the Policy of Toton United Football Club to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all its members and volunteers.
2. SCOPE
a. This policy applies to all within the club, especially coaches, managers and nominated first aiders.
b. This policy describes the clubs objectives and policies regarding the administered of first aid.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
All Toton United officials who hold First Aid certificates, have a duty of care to provide assistance when required, to level of their competence.
c. Club Committee
- The committee must ensure that an annual risk assessment is carried out of training grounds in order to ensure that all first aid requirements are considered and potential risks are kept to a minimum
- To ensure that the required level of First Aid support is provided
- To ensure that suitable first aid equipment is available for each team
- Provide support and access to training
- Ensure that the relevant support infrastructure is in place, maintained and audited
- Ensure that records are kept of any injuries which require extensive First Aid and that these records be stored and made available to relevant parties (parents, medical staff, insurance companies, FA, TUFC committee members) where necessary
d. Welfare Officer
- To ensure that all coaches/managers/volunteers are appropriately training and recertification is undertaken. Coordinates and implements policy through the Club
- Receives and processes the first aid incident forms for presentation to the committee at timely intervals
- To maintain the first aid records on the google drive.
e. Coaches and Managers
- To ensure that the appropriate training has been received and ensure that all re-ratifications have been completed in a timely manner
- To follow and implement the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) (Appendix 1)
- Report appropriately using the Toton United incident forms, within 24 hours any extensive first aid incident.
f. Parents/guardians
- Support and enable first aiders to administer necessary treatment
- To follow up on any advice given to take your child for a medical assessment
4. General requirements
a. All coaches, managers and first aiders should be aware of the Emergency action plan.
b. All coaches, managers and first aiders should have a plan in place at each location they play/train, should an incident occur.
- Do I have all parents contacts?
- Who is going to help me if an incident occurs?
- How would an ambulance gain access to the ground?
d. All head bumps must be reported on the first aid incident reporting form and uploaded onto the google shared drive. Parents informed at end of match/training session and this recorded.
e. In the case of a serious, but not life threatening injury, the parent must be contacted as soon as possible. If unavailable and the player has to be taken to the hospital, 2 adults (at least one from the club) must accompany the child.
f. In an emergency ring 112 or 999 for an ambulance first, then contact the parents as soon as possible. If the parents are not present then a member of the club must accompany the child to hospital.
g. All managers, coaches and first aiders must be aware of their players with specific health concerns.
h. Written consent must be gained from a parent or guardian prior to a first aider administering inhalers for a child suffering with Asthma. Children should be able to administer their own inhalers.
5. Routine Medical Bag
a. The first aider should be clinically competent in the use of the contents of the medical bag. The first aider should not carry any items of medical equipment or supplies that she/he is untrained to use or dispense.
b. Due to the possible risk of exposure to blood-borne diseases, it is good practice for the first aider wear a pair of nitrile (not latex) gloves, prior to administering treatment.
c. The use of ‘cold packs and cold sprays’ must not be used as a masking agent in an attempt to alleviate a player’s symptoms when an injury has been sustained. Be aware that inappropriate or overzealous application of this treatment can result in superficial skin ‘burn’. If cold therapy is considered appropriate the then use of iced water from a spray bottle maybe a more practical alternative. Should the player have an injury sever enough for the necessity of ‘cold packs/sprays’ be used, then the player should not return to the field of play until a medical opinion is sort.
Contents of the medical bag
A copy of Toton United’s emergency action plan
crepe bandages
elastic adhesive bandage (eab) (various sizes)
elastic/self-adhesive/tearable bandages (various sizes)
zinc oxide tape (inelastic) (various sizes)
disposable nitrile (non-allergic) gloves
gauze swabs
plasters (non-allergenic/waterproof)
sterile non-adherent wound dressings (various sizes)
triangular bandages
eye pads
antiseptic lotions/wipes
spray bottle (for iced water)
scissors (safety type)
accident/injury forms
Sterile water/sodium chloride (eye irrigation)
6. HEAD BUMP
a. In the case of a head bump the incident must be recorded on the TUFC first aid incident report form, logged on the google drive and the parents informed at the end of the match/training session.
b. Should an player receive a significant bump to the head, the player should be removed from play for the remainder of the game. If a player looses conciseness 999 should be called. Otherwise parents should be informed immediately and the parent advised to seek medical assessment for the child. TUFC first aid incident report form completed.
c. In November 2015, the FA released it's own Concussion Guidelines. The guidance, which is designed to support those managing head injuries in football at all levels, is available as a free-to-download document which you can access below.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: These guidelines are 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.
d. If a player is suspected of having a concussion, they must be immediately removed from the pitch, whether in training or match play. IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT.
Children (18 and under), are
- more susceptible to brain injury
- take longer to recover
- have more significant memory and mental processing issues
- are more susceptible to rare and dangerous neurological complications including death caused by a single or second impact
Any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a concussion:
• Dazed, blank or vacant look
• Lying motionless on ground / slow to get up
• Unsteady on feet/ balance problems or falling over/ poor coordination
• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
• Confused / not aware of play or events
• Grabbing / clutching of head
• Seizure (fits)
• More emotional/irritable than normal for that person
f. Symptoms of concussion (what you maybe told by the player)Any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a concussion:
• Dazed, blank or vacant look
• Lying motionless on ground / slow to get up
• Unsteady on feet/ balance problems or falling over/ poor coordination
• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
• Confused / not aware of play or events
• Grabbing / clutching of head
• Seizure (fits)
• More emotional/irritable than normal for that person
g. If any player is suspected of having concussion
- They must be removed from play immediately and safely (if a neck injury is suspected, the player must not be moved, this may involve stopping play while waiting for an ambulance).
- The player must then be taken to hospital for medical assessment.
(Taken from FA concussion guidelines 2015)
7. ASTHMA
a. Asthma is a common condition, but its severity varies considerably and the occurrence of the condition can be episodic. This means that children can be well for long periods of time and then have sudden acute and potentially fatal relapses.
b. The major principle within this section of the policy is immediate access for all children to reliever medication.
c. Coaches, managers, helpers and parents who supervise children with asthma are therefore asked to make themselves familiar with this section of the policy.
d. Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is caused by a reversible narrowing of the airways to the lungs. It restricts the passage of air both in and out as you breath. The symptoms of asthma occur when the muscles around the airways tighten and the lining of the airway becomes inflamed and start to swell; this leads to a narrowing of the airways.
The usual symptoms of asthma are:
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Being unusually quiet
Difficulty speaking in full sentences
Sometimes younger children will express the feeling of tightness in the chest as a tummy ache.
The symptoms however are rapidly reversible with appropriate medication.
e. It is the parents responsibility to provide the correct reliever inhaler. These treatments give immediate relief and are called bronchodilators because they cause the narrowed air passages to open up by relaxing the airway muscle. However, they do not reduce the inflammation. Some children also use a spacer with the inhaler. If a child is left in your care with a spacer to be used with the inhaler, ask the parent to show you how to use this.
f. Many environmental aspects have an effect on a child’s asthma symptoms. Within football there are three main irritants that may cause exacerbation of Asthma symptoms.
- Grass Pollen – freshly cut grass maybe especially problematic.
- Exercise - Children with asthma should be encouraged to participate in football but players should be discouraged from playing or training where they are visibly suffering from asthma prior to starting sessions. Children with known exercise induced asthma will need to take their reliever immediately prior to exercise.
- Weather - Outdoor training in cold weather will only exacerbate the Asthma symptoms and players should be advised not to train. A sudden change in weather conditions may also cause worsening symptoms.
Children with Asthma must have immediate access to their reliever inhaler at all times and therefore every asthmatic child should always carry their own inhaler. Parents of younger children must carry the child’s inhaler. Should the parent not be directly present on the side of the pitch (for example if a parent sits in their car or in the café area at training) then the inhaler should be placed in a clearly named, water proof container and handed to the coach at the start of the session. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure the medication is ‘fit for purpose’ and in date. It is also the parents responsibility to make sure the medication is collected from the coach at the end of the training session/match. If the child has had to use his or her inhaler during the session the parent must be informed.
h. WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD HAS AN ASTHMA ATTACK
If an asthmatic child in your care becomes breathless or wheezy or starts to cough:
- Keep calm, it’s treatable. If the treatment is given at an early stage the symptoms can be completely and immediately reversible.
- Let the child sit in a position they find most comfortable. Many children find it most comfortable to sit forwards.
- Ensure the child has 2 puffs of their usual reliever.
- STAY WITH THE CHILD. The reliever should work in 5 – 10 minutes
- If symptoms have improved but not disappeared then give 1 puff of the reliever inhaler every minute for 5 minutes. Stay with the child.
- Where inhalers have been administered and the parent is absent then a call home should be made to inform parents. Children should not continue to play football. Children should be closely monitored until they are returned to the care of parents/carers.
i. MANAGEMENT OF A SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKHOW TO RECOGNISE A SEVERE ATTACK
- The reliever has no effect after 5-10 minutes
The child is either distressed or unable to talk
The child is getting exhausted
You have any doubts about the child’s condition - TAY WITH THE CHILD
- Call 999 or send someone else to call 999 immediately – Inform them the child is having a SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
- Using the child’s reliever give one puff. After one minute give another puff. Repeat at not more than one minute intervals until the ambulance arrives.
- Contact the parents and inform them what has happened.
(Adapted from Shefield United FC Asthma guidelines)
8. INCIDENT REPORTING FORMS
a. All serious incidence must be recorded on the clubs shared google drive.
c. Serious accidents include:
- head collisions or accidents resulting in the player leaving the field of play and remaining out of the session/match due to the injury
- breakages
- dislocations
- accidents where the player/person involved has had to attend hospital or G.P as a result of the incident
- accidents which have resulted in an ambulance being called.
d. All serious accidents/incidents should be recorded comprehensively on an Accident/Incident form available from the club website (below).
9. INFORMING PARENTS OF INCIDENTS / ACCIDENTS
a. Parents must be informed of any head bump and directed to the NHS choices minor head injuries information (available on the TUFC website)
b. Parents must be informed of any serious accident /incident, and this recorded on the TUFC first aid incident form.
c. If an ambulance is needed, parents must be informed as soon as possible. Should the parent have not arrived, the ambulance should NOT be delayed, but a member of the club (preferably the coach/manager) MUST accompany the child. The child must never be left to travel alone. If a player needs to be transported in a car and the parent is not present, two adults (one form the club) must accompany the player.
10. MINOR ACCIDENTS / INCIDENTS
Minor incidents involve minor muscle strains, small cuts, grazes and bumps. Only head bumps or incidences where first aid has been provided needs to be recorded. For example a player coming off the pitch and having a pad of gauze applied to a cut to stop it bleeding, followed by an application of a dressing. A player having a nose bleed where she/he has to be removed from the field of play.
11. SERIOUS INCIDENTS / ACCIDENTS
a. Serious accidents include
- Fractures
- Head injury of an accident that results in the player leaving the field of play and remaining out of the session/match due to the injury.
- Dislocations
- An accident which involves the player attending hospital/ walk in center / GP practice .
- Incidents that result in an ambulance being called.
c. Procedure for dealing with a serious accident
- If a player is injured, the involved team’s first aiders should immediately attend the injured player and determine the seriousness of the injury.
- If the first aider considers the injury to be serious, stop the game immediately. If it is necessary to abandon the game whilst the player is being attended to, then this action will be fully supported by the club.
- If at any time a player is seriously injured (e.g. suspected fractured leg) or is unconscious or has limited movement he/she should NOT be moved until the paramedics are in attendance.
- Commence appropriate first aid as quickly as possible after the accident of injury has occurred. Try to remain calm and think your actions through.
- The first aider should take control of the situation. This avoid any confusion with procedures and / or control bystanders.
- Contact the ambulance service if necessary (999 or dial 112 from a mobile phone) and inform them of the situation. If the first aider is not able to do this she/he should assign someone to do this making sure they have the correct information and that they report back to state the ambulance has been called.
- What to tell the ambulance personnel:
- Address of accident
- nearest entrance or any other relevant information and where to gain admittance, e.g.: through the gate to the left etc.
- The type and seriousness of the injury.
- age of player
- whether the player is conscious or unconscious.
- What to tell the ambulance personnel:
- Make sure someone is assigned to wait in the car park to meet the ambulance.
- Ensure that the first aider stays with the injured player until the ambulance arrives and takes control of the situation.
- Ensure the area is cleared for easy access for the ambulance personnel.
- Assign a person to scribe. Document what first aid is administer and what time everything occurred. eyewitnesses statements may need to be gathered (statements may need to be taken at the end of the match depending on the nature and seriousness of the injury).
- Assign a person to provide any additional assistance as required e.g: notifying parents, collecting personal belongings etc.
- If the parents are present and the accident serious, the parent will be obviously very anxious. Assigning a competent person to talk to the parents, explaining what is happening etc. will help with keeping the injured player calm and reduce anxiety for both parties.
- In cases where the player’s parents are absent an assigned person should contact them immediately.
- If the first aider is the coach/manager, assign a person to supervise the other children until all the parents have arrived to collect them.
- Players should not go in ambulances alone. Where parents are absent the team first-aider should accompany the injured player to hospital.
- Review of assistance needed
- First Aider
- Someone to call for ambulance, parents (if necessary) or (chat to parents)
- Scribe
- Someone to wait for the ambulance and direct them to the casualty.
- Someone to supervise the other children
- Review of assistance needed