Coaches need to be able to respond to an emergency situation.  These can range from a minor injury to something more serious. If a participant is unconscious, it is a life-threatening situation. The coach must respond immediately, as the participant may need resuscitation. Resuscitation should be performed by someone with first aid training and this is why it is good practice for all coaches to undertake this training.

Coaches should:

• have access to a telephone to contact an ambulance
• have information about the participant’s medical history (especially for ongoing health issues such as asthma, epilepsy or diabetes)
• know how to access first aid equipment (blankets, first aid kit, ice etc)
• ideally, be able to administer basic first aid
  ensure an injury report form is completed.

STOP procedure

The STOP procedure allows the coach to assess whether the injury seems severe and to determine whether the participant should continue with the activity.

• Stop
• Talk
• Observe
• Prevent further injury (via the three options below)

1. Severe injury - Get help
2. Less severe injury - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Referral (RICER)
3. Minor injury -  Play on

RICER regime

Management of sprains, strains, corks, bumps and bruises should follow this procedure outlined in the PDF, see related downloads.