BASICFIRST AID

PREVENTION• PROPER SAFETY OF PLAYERS TO HELP

PREVENT INJURIES– NO SHORTS ALLOWED– Cleats recommended to ensure adequate footing.– Athletic supporters with cups for male and female players is

strongly recommended. Catchers must wear a cup before assuming catcher duties.

– Throat guards for catchers helmets and the long chest protector for males are required.

– Helmets with face guard (12 & below) must be worn whenever using a bat or running bases with ball in play.

– Adequate supply of water per player.

STRETCHING

• All practices and games should begin with a good stretching routine (approx. 10-15 min.) to help reduce potential injuries. Stretching should include arms, legs, thorax, and ankles/calves. Starting practice by running the bases does not constitute a good warm-up since not stretching occurred.

FIELD SAFETY

• Be sure that the field supports the drills you are doing. If using a covered area think of injury that could occur for a particular drill and choose wisely. For field play be sure that hazardous objects are removed, fill holes, and inspect bats for dents and cracks. This will prevent surprises at future games.

Safe Scene for Injuries

• Ensure practice is halted to prevent further injury.

• Wear gloves in ALL instances of body fluid contact.

• Evaluate the player for overall awareness (Alert & Oriented)– Who they are?– What’s today and approximate time of day?– Where they are?

NO RESPONSE• CALL 911 IMEDIATELY• Evaluate ABC’s- Look, Listen, & Feel

– A- Airway= Air on cheek– B- Breathing= Chest rises and falls– C- Circulation= Evaluate after breathing is

confirmed or not. If breathing they have circulation, but you must evaluate for bleeding. Then move on to fractures and other injuries. Some steps can be skipped if conscious and injury was witnessed.

NOT BREATHING• Head-Tilt-Chin-Lift or Modified-Jaw-Thrust (suspected

spine injury or choking).• Give two breaths, re-adjust between breaths if it is not going

in and try two more.• If it still wont go in look for an obstruction via finger sweep

or visual only for the younger kids.• Conscious, observed choking, uses the Heimlich maneuver,

let them know you are helping and continue until dislodged or unconscious. If choking was witnessed, reassess airway, then perform 5 abdominal thrusts, airway/breath, then look for obstruction. If air did not go in & nothing is in the mouth or throat resume thrusts.

Rescue Breathing

• If not breathing, but there is a pulse, perform rescue breathing 1 breath every 3 seconds for small children and larger kids should be treated as an adult.

• For an adult it is 1 to 5.

• If they resume breathing place in resting position and keep warm until 911 arrives.

• If 911 arrives continue until re-leaved.

OPEN WOUNDS• Types: Abrasions, avulsions, punctures and lacerations. Glove before

treating any wounds.• Abrasions: scrapes that bleed. Apply direct pressure and elevate

when possible. If clean water is available clean and then bandage.• Avulsions: Skin tears or flaps. Clean if possible, apply direct

pressure, and a pressure bandage if possible. Be careful not to cause a tourniquet.

• Punctures: object breaks through and goes deep into the skin or through. If still lodged and there is possible arterial involvement, stabilize object and wait for 911. If it is out apply direct pressure, if it bleeds through apply another bandage and use a pressure point.

• Lacerations: Clean cut through the skin. Most require sutures and continuous direct pressure and possibly pressure point.

• Use of a tourniquet is a last resort for severe bleeding that all attempts to control have failed. Time of application is important to note to help save area affected.

SPRAIN vs. STRAINSprains are injuries involving the stretching or tearing of a ligament

(tissue that connects bone to bone) or a joint capsule, which help provide joint stability. A severely damaged ligament or joint capsule can cause instability in a joint. Symptoms may include pain, inflammation, and in some cases, the inability to move a limb (arm, leg, foot). Sprains occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, such as turning or rolling your ankle.

Strains are injuries that involve the stretching or tearing of muscle and tendon structure. An acute (instant or recent) strain occurs at the junction where the muscle is becoming a tendon. These strains take place when a muscle is stretched and suddenly contracts, as with running or jumping. This type of injury is frequently seen in runners who strain their hamstrings. Many times the injury will occur suddenly while the runner is in full stride. Symptoms for an acute muscle strain may include pain, muscle spasm, loss of strength, and limited range of motion.

Severity & Treatment• Severity of sprains and strains

Chronic (long-lasting) strains are injuries that gradually build up from overuse or repetitive stress, resulting in tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon). For example, a tennis player may get tendonitis in his or her shoulder as the result of constant stress from repeated serves.

• A physician categorizes sprains and strains according to severity. A Grade I (mild) sprain or strain involves some stretching or minor tearing of a ligament or muscle. A Grade II (moderate) sprain or strain is a ligament or muscle that is partially torn but still intact. A Grade III (severe) sprain or strain means that the ligament or muscle is completely torn, resulting in joint instability.

• Treatments Grade I injuries usually heal quickly with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Therapeutic exercise can also help restore strength and flexibility. Grade II injuries are treated similarly but may require immobilization of the injured area to permit healing. Grade III sprains and strains usually require immobilization and possibly surgery to restore function. The key to recovery is an early evaluation by a medical professional. Once the injury has been determined, a treatment plan can be developed. With proper care, most sprains and strains will heal without long-term side effects.

GRADE EXAMPLES

SPRAINS & JOINT INJURIES• If a player twists or inverts there ankle or jams a body part

while sliding or fielding, help the player to the side and evaluate the injury.– If they can’t bear weight on the injured part have parent

seek medical attention. – If the joint is deformed or swells up quickly seek

medical attention.– Rapid discoloration- seek medical attention– Do not attempt to reduce the injury yourself.– If 911 is called and no parent is available have an

approved person stay with the person until the parent or ambulance arrives.

Fractures• Closed Fracture- visible deformity without breaking

the skin. Usually an injury away from the joint. Make player comfortable and warm. Don’t let them see the injury to help prevent shock. If a fracture is suspected seek immediate medical attention.

• Open Fracture- A visible fracture that breaks the skin. Apply lateral pressure along the wound site. Call 911 before attempting to move.

FACIAL INJURIES• Injuries to the face should seek medical attention. Many

small lacerations require sutures and if not cared for properly can cause cosmetic disfigurement. Eye injuries are difficult to evaluate without x-rays. Often there are orbital fractures. Nose injuries are less emergent, but if difficulty breathing occurs, medical attention should be sought. This also includes Jaw injuries.

• Simple abrasions should receive a Band-Aid after cleaning.

• Scalp injuries should receive direct pressure and sit upright.

INJURIES TO TEETH

• Be sure to recover the fractured tooth or teeth fragments. Keep moist and transport with the player. If swallowed verify adequate airway and send to doctor. Apply ice to the trauma site.

INSECT BITES & STINGS• Venomous stings by bees- Remove the stinger ASAP, if it is

a honey bee. If a wasp, yellow jacket or hornet, there will be no stinger. Move away from nests or if in the ground the area that they were disturbed should be reported.

• Apply a cold compress and closely monitor the player, if it is the first time they have ever been stung, for allergic reaction. If hives or airway problems seek medical attention immediately.

• Stings to the face should be evaluated for airway difficulties.

INSECT BITES cont.

• Spider bites should be evaluated by a medical authority as soon as possible. If possible recover the spider for identification to aid treatment (necrotizing vs. hemolytic).

• Mosquito bites can be prevented by wearing deet or similar applications. Another reason why shorts should not be worn to practices. At dusk a long sleeves help prevent biting. Mosquitoes are attracted to your bodies CO2 production.

HEAT INJURIES• Heat injuries can be a life and death situation. If a heat

injury is expected seek medical attention immediately. If the player is sweating profusely and collapses, suspect heat exhaustion. If they were sweating profusely and then stop sweating and collapse with no response, suspect heat stroke.

• Heat stroke is a true medical emergency and must receive immediate attention. While waiting for 911, move to shaded area, cool with water, begin with the head. Be sure to keep the person warm after cooling. Shivering creates heat.

HEAT CRAMPS

• Heat cramps are normally due to poor hydration. When the body becomes dehydrated the neurotransmitters don’t conduct properly and the muscles stay flexed and cause spasms. Do not ice, but hydrate, rest, and have the player or parent massage the effected area.

• Good hydration begins before practice. Recommend players drink ~32 oz. of water (not kool-aid) an hour before practice or a game. Then re-hydrate during practice and games.

SHOCK

• Keep the person laying down, warm, reassured, with feet elevated 10-12 inches. Do not discuss the injury with the player or let other players describe it.

IF IN DOUBT• If in doubt, call 911. Do not take on more than

you are trained too. The humanitarian laws protect you provided you do not go beyond the scope of your knowledge for care. If the parent assumes responsibility for the player, but chooses not to have the child evaluated after what appears to be a serious injury, it is recommended you receive a clearance documentation by a doctor or a responsible parent before the player returns to full play.

INJURIES

• Be sure to complete all appropriate safety forms after an injury occurs. Forms can be obtained and turned in to Frank Smith, SKSLL Safety Officer.

QUESTIONS

• Keep them simple and on the subject.