AFL Coaching Manual - Western Bulldogs Football Club
AFL Coaching Manual - Western Bulldogs Football Club
AFL Coaching Manual - Western Bulldogs Football Club
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the coach<br />
chapter 8 – prevention & management of injuries<br />
FIRST<br />
AID FOR<br />
INJURIES<br />
In managing an injury,<br />
the main aim is to do no<br />
further damage.<br />
When an injury occurs, there are<br />
many decisions to be made. The<br />
most important of these for the<br />
coach is whether the player should<br />
continue to play or not. Coaches<br />
should always err on the side of<br />
caution as resuming play may cause<br />
further damage to an injury.<br />
Unconscious player<br />
If the player is unconscious, it is a life-threatening situation and the DRSABCD<br />
of first aid should be used by an accredited sports trainer.<br />
D DANGER<br />
Check for danger to:<br />
pp<br />
You.<br />
pp<br />
Others.<br />
pp<br />
The injured player.<br />
R RESPONSE<br />
Is the player conscious?<br />
pp<br />
Can you hear me?<br />
pp<br />
Open your eyes.<br />
pp<br />
What is your name?<br />
S<br />
A<br />
AIRWAY<br />
send for help<br />
Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.<br />
Make sure the airway is:<br />
pp<br />
Clear of objects.<br />
pp<br />
Open.<br />
B BREATHING<br />
pp<br />
Check if the player is breathing by observing chest<br />
movements and/or air passing in or out of the mouth.<br />
pp<br />
If not, give two initial breaths and begin CPR.<br />
C CPR<br />
pp<br />
CPR involves giving 30 compressions at a rate of around<br />
100 per minute followed by two breaths.<br />
pp<br />
Continue CPR until the patient recovers<br />
or professional help arrives.<br />
p p Stop any bleeding by placing firm pressure over<br />
the injury site.<br />
D Defibrillation<br />
pp<br />
Attach a defibrillator (if available).<br />
pp<br />
Follow voice prompts.<br />
Conscious player<br />
With all injuries, it is important to have a set procedure to follow. The following S.T.O.P. procedure<br />
allows the coach to assess the severity of the injury and determine whether the player should continue or not:<br />
STOP<br />
STOP the player from<br />
participating or moving.<br />
STOP the game if<br />
necessary.<br />
DON’T PANIC ...<br />
STAY COOL<br />
TALK<br />
TALK to the injured player.<br />
What happened?<br />
How did it happen?<br />
What did you feel?<br />
Where does it hurt?<br />
Does it hurt anywhere else?<br />
Have you injured this<br />
part before?<br />
PROVIDE A FEW WORDS<br />
OF ENCOURAGEMENT<br />
1. SEVERE INJURY<br />
Suspected head, facial,<br />
spinal, chest, abdominal<br />
injuries, fractures or<br />
major bleeding.<br />
OBSERVE<br />
OBSERVE while talking<br />
to the player.<br />
General<br />
Is player distressed?<br />
Is the player lying in an<br />
unusual position/posture?<br />
Injury Site<br />
Is there any swelling?<br />
Is there any deformity?<br />
Is there any difference<br />
when compared to the<br />
other side/limb?<br />
Is there tenderness<br />
when touched?<br />
Does it hurt to move the<br />
injured part?<br />
PREVENT<br />
PREVENT further injury<br />
(three options)<br />
IF THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS<br />
IS YES, SEEK AN SMA ACCREDITED SPORTS TRAINER<br />
OR QUALIFIED FIRST AID SUPPORT<br />
GET HELP RICER REGIME PLAY ON<br />
GET HELP<br />
Get professional help ...<br />
don’t move the player.<br />
pp<br />
Keep onlookers away.<br />
pp<br />
Comfort the player until<br />
professional help arrives.<br />
pp<br />
Immobilise and support.<br />
2. LESS SEVERE<br />
Soft tissue injuries such<br />
as sprains, strains and<br />
muscle bruises.<br />
RICER REGIME<br />
The first 48 hours are<br />
vital in the effective<br />
management of soft tissue<br />
injuries.<br />
pp<br />
Rest.<br />
pp<br />
Ice.<br />
pp<br />
Compression.<br />
pp<br />
Elevation.<br />
pp<br />
Referral.<br />
3. MINOR INJURY<br />
Bumps and bruises<br />
which do not impair<br />
performance.<br />
PLAY ON<br />
A few words of<br />
encouragement will help.<br />
pp<br />
Monitor any such injuries.<br />
pp<br />
Minor injuries should also<br />
be managed using the<br />
RICER regime.<br />
88<br />
89
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