| WHAT COACHES SHOULD KNOW |
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When a player is cut or scraped during a play, coaches need to know how to care for the injured player and determine if the player needs stitches.
Activate the Emergency Action Plan and follow the emergency action steps, Check-Call-Care, when responding to an injury where someone is bleeding seriously. Check the scene for safety and check the injured athlete, Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number when needed, and Care for the injured player until EMS personnel arrive. When caring for injuries when there is a chance of coming into contact with blood or other body fluids, responders should also take precautions against disease transmission by wearing latex or vinyl gloves.
| Care for a bleeding player depends on the severity of the injury. For minor injuries such as scrapes, the key to care is cleaning the wound to prevent infection. Minor bleeding usually stops within 10 minutes. Significant bleeding can arise from more serious injuries. Any serious bleeding may rapidly become life threatening. The goal of care is to control it as quickly as possible in a way that helps protect both the athlete and responder from infection. Have someone call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for any of the following serious bleeding situations: |
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| Call 9-1-1 or seek prompt medical attention for: |
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To provide care for external bleeding, cover the wound with a sterile gauze pad and press firmly until the bleeding stops. Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart if you do not suspect broken bones. Cover the wound with gauze dressings using a roller bandage to maintain pressure. If the bleeding does not stop, do not remove the dressings-even if the dressings become soaked with blood. Apply additional pressure with dressings and bandages on top of the bandages that have already been applied to the wound. Squeeze the nearby artery against the bone underneath the artery. On the arm, squeeze the artery inside the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow. On the leg, squeeze the artery at the crease at the front of the hip in the groin. Minimize shock, which is likely in a seriously bleeding athlete.
In addition to controlling the bleeding, the coach may need to help determine if stitches are needed. Stitches speed the healing process, lessen the chances of infection, and improve the appearance of scars. They should be placed within the first few hours after the injury. Generally, stitches are needed when edges of skin do not fall together or when any wound is greater than an inch long. Once applied, stitches are easily cared for by dabbing them with hydrogen peroxide on a daily basis. Some can be removed within 6-14 days and others dissolve.
MORE READING
American National Red Cross. (2001). Emergency response. San Bruno, CA: StayWell.
American National Red Cross and The United States Olympic Committee. (1997). Sport safety training handbook. San Bruno, CA: StayWell.
The evaluation of any athlete, whether as a part of health evaluations prior to activity or as a diagnosis of an injury as the consequence of sports activities, is specific to that individual and the history and current state of the individual presented. Advice, diagnosis and treatment is individualized according to numerous factors, including patient health and age information, medical history and symptoms. All athletes should be cleared by a physician or other appropriate medical professional before engaging in physical activities and, after injury, diagnosis and treatment, for return to play.