General Safety Guidelines

Head/neck/lower back injuries:

bulletIf player has had a loss of consciousness, do not move them! If they are still unconscious, call 911 and make sure they are breathing and have a pulse. If they do not, and you or another person on scene knows CPR, begin treatment immediately until EMS arrives to assume care.
bulletIf player lost consciousness but has regained it, assess for any other injuries starting with the head and working down the body. If parents are present, let them decide if player should go to hospital to be seen.
bulletIt is generally a good rule of thumb to suggest they do so but it is ultimately the parents’ choice. Ask questions like "does this hurt", while gently touching areas that were involved in the injury. Do not move or twist neck for any suspected neck injury.
bulletAlways apply ice to any bumps or bruises.
bulletWatch for signs of a concussion.
bulletLoss of consciousness
bulletNausea/vomiting
bulletA change in their normal behavior
bulletRepeatedly asking the same questions over and over
bulletHeadaches that aren’t relieved with Tylenol, etc.

Remember any player with a possible neck or back injury should never be moved or handled unless you are trained in spine immobilization!

Facial injury/soft tissue:

Any injury to the face from a ball, bat, player collision, etc. should have ice applied to immediately. Some of these injuries may also include a cut or tear in the skin. Please remember to:

bulletAlways wear gloves when attending to a bloody wound.
bulletApply direct pressure to any bleeding wound. After several minutes most bleeding will stop. Cleanse apply a clean dressing or Band-Aid.
bulletA doctor should see any eye injury that is acquired by a direct blow from a ball or bat.
bulletDiscard any bloody material in a biohazard bag.

Nose injury:

bulletWear gloves if bloody.
bulletApply pressure and ice to the nose. Pressure should be applied at the nostrils, not the bridge. Head should be tilted forward. Hold pressure for a full 15 minutes without letting go. If bleeding persists after that player should see a doctor.

Dental injury:

bulletIf tooth is loose, leave it alone. Apply ice.
bulletIf bloody, wear gloves when assisting player.
bulletIf tooth is completely out, try to clean it off gently in water. Do not disturb the root area. Then reinsert it into the space it came from. Seek dental care.
bulletIf unable to reinsert it place it in water or milk and seek dental care. This should be done within 30 minutes of injury to assure best outcome.

Wounds: includes lacerations, abrasions, punctures bruises:

bulletWear gloves if bloody.
bulletApply pressure to the wound.
bulletApply ice to the wound.
bulletCover with a dressing.
bulletContact parents for further decision making.
bulletDiscard bloody dressing in biohazard bag.

Severe bleeding:

bulletIf you have a wound that is bleeding severely and will not stop, you must apply continuous pressure and get player to immediate medical care by calling 911.
bulletMake sure you notify parents if they are not present.
bulletAlways wear protective gloves and discard in biohazard bag.

Suspected broken bones:

bulletApply ice to area.
bulletElevate extremity if able to.
bulletWear gloves if bone through skin and apply dressing.
bulletDo not let child drink anything/they may need to go to surgery if bone is through skin.
bulletMake a splint to support by using something that is stiff, such as a folded newspaper, magazine or board. Secure it with an ace wrap to the splint.
bulletIf the extremity below the injury turns blue or cold the player needs immediate medical care. Transport by ambulance.

Heat exposure:

May be related to complaints of weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness, pale or clammy skin, profuse sweating. If player is hot without sweating call 911 – life threatening!

bulletPrevent by making players drink lots of water.
bulletGet out of heat immediately. The player is done with the game for the day.
bulletApply ice or cool wet rags to face, neck, etc.
bulletSeek medical care if the symptoms persist.

It is impossible to cover every injury a player may sustain while engaged in a sporting activity. If you are not sure what to do, always allow parents to make the decision in the best interest of the player!