Principles of Initial

Injury Management

1D Danger

R Response

A Airway

B Breathing

C Circulation

Three Steps in initial injury

Management

Commence CPR if required

SSTOPSTOP the athlete from

participating or

moving.

STOP the game if

necessary.

TALKTALK to the injured athlete

•What happened?

•How did it happen?

•What did you feel?

•Where does it hurt?

•Does it hurt anywhere

else?

•Can you play on?

•If no - Arrange

appropriate transport

PREVENT

FURTHER INJURYPrevent further

injury by ensuring

a detailed

assessment using

TOTAPS

OBSERVEOBSERVE whilst talking to the athlete

GENERAL

•Is the athlete distressed?

•Is the athlete lying in an unusual

position/posture?

INJURY SITE

•Is there any swelling/ deformity/

discolouration?

•Can the athlete move the injured

part?

If yes

•does it hurt to move?

•Is the range of movement restricted

(compared to normal/ other limb)?

If no

•arrange appropriate transport

POT

2

STOP

TALKHistory of:•incident•individual

3

OBSERVEExpose and compare for:•Swelling•Discolouration

•Deformity

TOUCHCompared to uninjured side:•Tenderness•Temperature•Pain

ACTIVE

MOVEMENTAthlete moves injured part through full range of movement -ONLY TO POINT OF PAIN

PASSIVE

MOVEMENTSports trainer moves injured part through full range of movement -ONLY TO POINT OF PAIN

SKILL TESTAthlete performs progress skill test appropriate

for the sport

T SPATO

TOTAPS

• What happened to cause the incident?

• What happened to the injured person

within that incident?

• What is the problem?

• Where does it hurt?

The incident

TALK

• Any special medical conditions/ problems,

e.g. diabetes

• Any previous injuries to this body part

• Any previous injuries to the same part on

the opposite side of the body

• Any recent injuries

Past History

• Expose the body part and the opposite

limb

• Compare the injured side to the uninjured

side

• Look for:

– Swelling

– Deformity

– Discolouration

– How is the area being held

OBSERVE

• Compare with the opposite side of the

body

• Begin touching away

from the injury and

slowly and gently

move towards the

injury site

• Feel for tenderness,

temperature and pain

TOUCH

If evidence of a possible

fracture or dislocation is

identified

STOP ASSESSMENT

begin fracture

management

• Locate to exact site of pain

• Is the injury site hot, swollen?

• Are there any unusual lumps or bumps?

• Can the athlete move the part?

– Full or restricted range of motion

• Does it hurt to move the part?

– How much pain?

– When does the pain occur?

• Compare the injured side to the uninjured

side

ACTIVE MOVEMENT

STOP ASSESSMENT

• Use PRICER and NO HARM principles

• Stop and begin management of the injuryIf there is significant pain and restriction:

If there is no pain:

• Move onto PASSIVE MOVEMENT

• Can it be moved through full range of

movement?

• At what point does pain occur?

• Compare the range of movement between

the injured and uninjured side

Compare passive movement to the

active movements:

PASSIVE MOVEMENT

STOP ASSESSMENT

• Use PRICER and NO HARM principles

If there is significant pain and restriction:

If there is no pain:

• Move onto SKILL

• Stop and begin management of the injury

• Appropriate sport specific skills

• Progressive skills

– Z running

– Single leg hops

– Hope for distance

– Tackles

• Does it look symmetrical?

• Is it pain FREE?

SKILL Tests

4

1

2

3

Initial Injury Assessment.

Apply STOP principle

Initial Injury Assessment- Summary

Ensure there is no threat to players life.

Apply DR ABC principle

Detailed Injury Assessment.

Apply TOTAPS principle

Commence initial treatment

Apply PRICER and NO HARM principles