Roles and Responsibilities of the Sports First Aider

The Sports First Aiders' prime responsibility is to help make sport safer through prevention of injury techniques, as well as the appropriate recognition, early management and referral of injured active people.

The Sports First Aider should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and should work within these qualifications.

Role / Sports First Aiders’ Responsibilities
PREVENTION OF INJURY / Responsible for:
assessing and advising on the suitability of the venue for safe participation
assessing and advising on the safety, cleanliness and hygiene of the change rooms
maintaining team protective equipment
managing existing illness or injury
managing group hygiene
Assist with:
warm-up, stretching and cool down
fluid replacement
Advise on:
appropriate change room facilities
individual protective equipment
personal hygiene and infection control
environmental conditions effecting sports performance
Have an understanding of:
development of skills in sport
rules of the game they are involved with
balanced competition
taping and bracing
PROVIDE CRISIS CARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES (as first health care
person on the scene) / Effectively apply the appropriate crisis management techniques, in the absence of, and until the arrival of, a health professional or paramedic. The management involves the DRABC regime.
IMMEDIATE INJURY MANAGEMENT / recognise the occurrence of an injury
systematically approach an injury situation
apply appropriate initial management techniques
know the indications and contraindications of transporting an injured athlete
know the appropriate emergency hand signals for on field assistance
REFERRAL / Refer the injured athlete to the appropriate health care professional for further management
RECORDS / Keep appropriate records, including:
injuries managed and referred
athletes specific medical conditions

Role

/

Sports First Aiders’ Responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS / Liaise and develop relationships with the following people for:
referral of an injured athlete for further management and rehabilitation
more efficient and effective performance of the sports first aider's roles and responsibilities
athlete
coach
umpire/referee
doctor
physiotherapist
local ambulance
local hospital
other health professionals, such as a dietician or podiatrist
sports administrators
ACCESS TO VENUE / know the location of the entrances and exits at all venues
COMMUNICATIONS / ensure there is a telephone or alternative means of communication in case of an emergency
know the location of telephones at both home and away venues
ensure that emergency numbers, such as ambulance and hospital, are clearly displayed next to the telephone
know the appropriate hand signals for emergency communications for on-field assistance.
ON-SITE FIRST AID EQUIPMENT / ensure appropriate first aid equipment is available at both training and competition
EMERGENCY PLAN
/ prepare an emergency plan for emergency situations
ensure all people involved in the plan know their role
practice the plan regularly
emergency procedures should be displayed, eg. CPR
ADVICE TO VISITING TEAMS / Notify visiting team officials about emergency procedures, including:
Equipment
Facilities
Access
Communications
FIRST AID KIT / stock the first aid kit with appropriate supplies for the sport
ensure prompt replacement of any supplies used
ensure the first aid kit is easily accessible, clean and organised
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY / Legal obligations and limitations include:
provide a level of care consistent with your knowledge and experience
do not undertake advice or procedures outside of your level of training
it is illegal for a sports first aider to use electrical modalities, e.g. ultrasound, without direct supervision
it is illegal to provide prescription drugs
CONTINUING EDUCATION / Keep up to date with the competencies required of a sports first aider

The Safer Sport Program requires the
Sports First Aider to re-certify every three years

Roles and Responsibilities of the Sports Trainer

The level 1 Sports Trainers' prime responsibility is to help make sport safer. Prevention of injury is a key concept reinforced throughout every role and duty the level 1 Sports Trainer undertakes. As a Sports Trainer you should be constantly aware of:

•How you can prevent injury from occurring initially?

•How you can prevent injury from occurring once an injury has occurred?

•How you can prevent the recurrence of an injury?

The level 1 Sports Trainer should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and should work within these qualifications. In addition to the roles and responsibilities of the Sports First Aider, the level 1 Sports Trainer has the roles and responsibilities outlined on the following pages.

Role / Sports Trainers' Responsibilities
Administration / Accurately maintain appropriate records:
injuries managed
athletes medical history
confidentiality
Ordering and maintaining stock/equipment
first aid kit
sports trainers room
Budgeting
Rosters
Communication / Accurately and effectively communicate with other health professionals.
Develop relationships with other Sports Medicine Australia members to enhance and encourage referrals.
Continuing education / Responsible for their on-going development
Responsible for keeping their skills and accreditation up-to-date
Drugs in Sport / Be aware of IOC medical code
Know appropriate sources of the information regarding the permitted use of medications and substances in sport
Have a knowledge of who is eligible to be drug tested
Have knowledge of the Sports Trainers rights and responsibilities in relation to drug and substance recommendations and drug testing
Have a knowledge of the effects of common Over The Counter products (OTC).
Education of athletes and officials / Education of athletes and officials in all areas of the sports trainers responsibility.
Fluid replacement / Organise fluid replacement for athletes during training and competition to assist with prevention of heat illness
Hygiene / Effectively implement infection control practices
Injury Management / Systematically approach an injury situation using the TOTAPS approach
Provide appropriate initial management of sports injuries and reduce the likelihood of further damage
Assist with, under the guidance of the appropriate health professional
rehabilitation of the injured athlete
assessment of the athletes readiness to return to training and competition
Taping / Effectively tape an ankle, fingers and thumb
Know the precautions to taping
Role / Sports Trainers' Responsibilities
Nutrition / Have a knowledge of:
components of a balanced diet
fluid replacement
pre and post event meals
recovery
Medical conditions / Have a knowledge of:
contra-indications of involvement in sport with infectious illnesses and chronic medical conditions
the value of sports participation for athletes with chronic medical conditions
Management of specific injuries / Recognise and provide appropriate initial management of:
head and spinal injury
trunk injury
upper and lower limb injury
skin injuries
heat and cold illness/injury
Under the guidance of the appropriate health professional, assist with on-going management of upper and lower limb injuries
Have a knowledge of the use, advantages and disadvantages of dry wound management and moist wound management
Warm-up, Stretching and Cool Down / Be able to conduct an effective warm-up, stretching and cool down program

Re-accreditation is required every three years for Level 1 Sports Trainers to remain a part of the Sports Trainers Program

DISCLAIMER

"The information contained in this resource is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended, to be advice on a particular matter. No reader should act on the basis of anything contained in this resource without seeking independent professional advice from appropriate persons. No responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by Sports Medicine Australia (SA Branch) , the Government of South Australia or the authors for any loss, damage or injury that may arise from any person acting on any statement or information contained in this resource and all such liabilities are expressly disclaimed."