With 240 million registered soccer players worldwide, 13.5 million of which play in England, there are bound to be soccer injuries attributed to the sport. When researchers asked participants in one study which sport they got injured in, 71% responded with soccer, the highest of them all.
Research conducted by the American Orthopedic Association revealed that 65.6% of injuries occurred in the lower limbs, while an additional 14.7% affected the torso and pelvis. Concussions and brain impacts were followed, accounting for 5.5% of all soccer injuries.
Among these injuries include soft tissue damage but also, cuts and abrasions. That’s why a soccer first aid kit is crucial to treat these injuries, even while you wait for expert medical attention. The items in a soccer first aid kit can prevent further damage by preventing infection or reducing bleeding. But what should the contents of a soccer first aid kit contain?
1. Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are must-haves for a soccer first aid kit. They can reduce the risk of contamination between healthcare workers and patients. Before you administer first aid, it is important to wear gloves since they can prevent wounds from getting infected or other bodily fluids being passed between parties. Medical gloves are useful for handling injuries such as turn burn injuries as well as other cuts.
2. Sterile Wipes
If an injured player has a wound, they’ll need wipes to sterilize the wound and the surrounding area. Sterilizing the wound reduces the risk of infection and ensures greater adhesion of dressings. You should also use these wipes to sterilize your own hands before you treat someone.
3. Cold Packs
An instant cold pack provides immediate cryotherapy for bruising, strains, and sprains. Ice packs can also ease pain by numbing the area, reducing bleeding (in some cases), and reducing inflammation. As it’s suitable for emergency use, this is a must-have in your soccer first aid kit.
4. Plasters
Plasters are designed to cover light cuts and wounds in order to prevent further damage or infection. There are three main types of medical plaster: fabric, washproof, and blue plasters. Washproof plasters are the most suited to sports as they are designed to cover and control bleeding for minor wounds, but can withstand moist and wet conditions.
5. Bandages
There are three main types of bandages: roller, triangular and tubular. Roller bandages are used to hold dressings against wounds and can support injured joints and tissue injuries. Triangular bandages are often used as a sling to support injuries and immobilize broken bones. Tubular bandages are used to hold dressings on fingers or toes or to support injured joints. You should stock all three types in your soccer first aid kit to accommodate a wide range of injuries.
6. Sterile Dressings
A sterile wound dressing is a type of sterile bandage used to cover a wound and stick to the surrounding skin with glue or wound dressing tape. Doctors and surgeons use them to dress post-operative wounds, minor abrasions, and puncture sites where a water-resistant dressing is required.
7. Scissors & Pins
Don’t underestimate the importance of scissors in your soccer first aid kit. Some plasters, bandages, and sterile dressings will come on a roll that needs to be cut to size and pinned together. Keep a pair of scissors and some pins in your kit, to ensure you can do this with ease.
8. Aluminum Blanket
A thermal blanket is used to keep the subject warm in cold conditions. In the event of a severe injury (such as those resulting in internal bleeding), it can also be used to prevent shock in the victim. You may have seen thermal blankets wrapped around runners at the end of a marathon, for example. This is done because it helps to regulate their body temperature which will drop fast after a long race.
9. Eyewash
Eyewash works by cleaning and soothing eyes from irritation. It works to purge the eye of any foreign bodies and cleans the eye’s surface with purified water to prevent infection. You may not see the immediate use for eyewash in a soccer first aid kit, but there’s always the possibility of stray objects falling into a player’s eyes. It’s one of those items that may come in handy when you least expect it.
10. Resuscitation Face Shield
Designed for resuscitation and mouth-to-mouth ventilation of a non-breathing adult, a resuscitation face shield is essential if the worst happens. The one-way valve allows expired air ventilation for a safer and more effective method of resuscitation, and the film acts as a barrier to help prevent infection during resuscitation. The latter is even more important since we’re still facing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Most premade Sports First Aid Kits will have all of this in (and more), to ensure your sports team are prepared in the event of any injuries.
Written by Holly, for morSafe Supplies.
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