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A sports first aid kit is a must-have for every sports team. It is natural for us to get injured, but it is even more common for sportsmen and women. Despite the fact that you may have prepared adequately to prevent injuries, the best you can do is reduce them. It is not uncommon for someone to fall on their hand, break a finger, or twist an ankle during practice.
A sports first aid kit is what you need in those trying times when the wound is still fresh. Regarding what a first aid kit should contain, the container where the items would be kept is also important. A first aid kit should be made of a waterproof material, preferably plastic, to ensure that adhesive materials and other items that can not withstand moisture are kept safe. The box or container should also be sturdy enough to support any heavy material inside it and also the handling pressure.
For cold items like ice packs, there should be an insulated compartment in the kit to help the packs maintain their temperature until they are needed. The items in your first aid kit may vary depending on the type of sports you are involved in. Sports that are done in the cold, like skiing or snowboarding, may also require heat packs. Sports that will be done in the sun, on the other hand, may require you to add some sunscreen to the box.
Not considering the type of sports, here are 13 common yet essential items that a sports first aid kit should contain:
A First Aid Manual: Of course, this is coming first on the list. It is entirely possible and more likely that you have a brief training on how to take care of emergencies, but you can never go amiss with a first aid manual. While searching for what you want to know on the internet is seemingly easier, you never know when you will find yourself in the woods with zero internet bars.
Reusable Ice Pack: A first aid kit will be rendered almost useless without a reusable ice pack. When you are injured, the first thing that comes to mind is likely an ice pack. There are several types, but instant cold packs are the best for emergencies.
Although gel packs are more versatile and may be useful for different situations, they are unsuitable for first aid kits unless there is a fridge in the kit. Instant ice packs, on the flip side, do not require freezing; they only need you to shake them to be activated. They are also light and easy to carry around. Instant cold packs do not conform and are not as versatile as gel packs, but they remain the best option for emergencies.
Disposable Gloves: This item is for the first aid provider; it is advisable to have many pairs, just in case. The gloves will prevent any bodily fluids from being transferred from the caretaker to the patient and vice-versa. It will also prevent the transfer of infections. Use a hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean before and after putting on the glove.
Alcoholic Wipes: In the absence of soap and water, this is the next best option for sanitizing your skin. As you probably already know, it is important to clean a wound first before dressing it. For minor cuts and scrapes, you can use them as the first treatment. Moreover, they can be used as normal wipes when you get dirty during practice.
Antiseptic Cream Sachets: After you have successfully cleansed a wound with the antiseptic wipes, you will then use antiseptic cream to prevent infection and relieve pain at the same time. The one-use antiseptic cream sachets are small, easy to carry around, and convenient to use.
Bandages: Bandages in various sizes and shapes are important items for a first aid kit. You need stretchy, flexible cotton bandages to cover the cleansed wounds and reduce swelling by applying compression. There are different bandages that you will have to choose from. Depending on the type of sports activity you are performing, you may end up having all types in your kit. Cohesive bandages can only cohere to their surface and do not need clips and tapes. They are also best for injuries that are near the head or hair. Elastic adhesive bandages, on the other hand, need clips or tapes to stay in place.
Triangular Bandages: Triangular bandages are often used as slings for sprained or fractured limbs. They help to support and immobilize the hand to prevent it from further injury. Triangular bandages can be reused as long as you keep them clean by washing them after use.
Wound Dressings: Wound dressings can be soft gauze bandages, nonstick gauze pads, or trauma pads. The type of wound dressing you decide to use will depend on the kind of wound, so it is not a bad idea to have all types hanging around. You should get them in different sizes and shapes because you don't know which body part you will need them for. Wound dressings are used to cover wounds before they are wrapped. They protect the wound from infections and also absorb the blood, thereby preventing things from getting messy.
Rescue Blanket: When someone gets injured, trying to retain their body heat is also a priority, especially when you are in a cold environment. Suppose the patient is in a lot of shocks or is suffering from hypothermia (extremely low temperature due to the body losing heat faster than it is making it). In that case, a rescue blanket becomes even more important. Moreover, the blanket is the perfect way of protecting them from other adverse environmental elements.
Saline Pods: These pods usually contain saline solutions that can be used to clean the eyes or nose. They can be used as eye drops for irritation and wound cleansers. They are used for these parts because the eyes and nose are more sensitive, and regular sanitizers and wipes will be unsuitable.
Eye Pads: This item comes right after saline pads because they work hand-in-hand. After using the solution in the saline pods to cleanse the eye, you can apply one of the pads in the sterile pack of eye pads to protect the eye from further infection.
Tapes and Clips: Tapes and clips are used to secure the loose ends of bandages. First aid tapes or athletic tapes can be used, both of which can be found at Hampton Adams.
Others: Other items that a first aid kit should contain include thermometers, flashlights, energy bars, index inventory cards, tweezers, cellphones, filled water bottles, snap-seal plastic bags, scissors or tape cutters, and anti-inflammatory capsules.
Always check that the items in the sports aid kit are up to date and used as directed by manufacturers. Also, take inventory of the materials constantly to avoid forgetting a necessary item.
A common treatment technique known as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is often used for first aid treatments, especially when the injuries are just minor scrapes or cuts. As you will soon realize, all the necessary materials for this process are present in an ideal first aid kit, as described above.
Hampton Adams is a company with many of the items that you may need to fill up your first aid box. Manufacturing efficient and quality ice packs, comfortable tapes, and stretchy bandages are some of our areas of specialization. Visit Hampton Adams shop page to purchase your quality first aid essentials.