Hockey First Aid
Dr. Jeff Konin. The Rehab Doc
As a parent, are you prepared to treat
the injuries that may occur?
Are you under the assumption that you son
or daughter’s coaches are knowledgeable
in basic first aid?
What about if a more serious injury
were to occur?
Ice hockey is a physical contact sport. And long before the age of
checking occurs, kids get bumps and bruises, cuts and lacerations,
and even broken bones from falling, getting hit by a puck, an errant
blade, or even bumping into each other on the ice.
Fortunately, serious injuries do not happen often. However, when they
do, it is assuring to know that a rink facility and its personnel, including
team coaches, have a plan to manage things smoothly.
First and foremost every facility should have what is called an
emergency action plan (EAP). This plan, thought out well in advance, is
basically a written strategy that defines the steps taken in the event of
an emergency in the rink.
Key components to an EAP include the following:
personnel to access
including an automated external defibrillator (AED)
It is most helpful if EAP’s are laminated on a single page of paper and
posted throughout the facility. Having a plan but not having public
knowledge of what to do in the case of an emergency is not the best
approach to take. Spectators who can access the plan in the case of an
emergency can assist and contribute to a safer outcome.
At younger ages of recreational and even travel ice hockey, it is not
commonplace to have the services of someone like an athletic trainer
on site. Therefore, we typically rely on coaches, parents and others in
attendance to assist with injuries that arise.
If lucky, one or more of these individuals has some form of a health
or medical background and is happy to help out in a good Samaritan
manner. Regardless, each team should always have an up-to-date
medical kit that is stocked with basic supplies for acute injuries. The kit
itself does not need to be fancy or expensive to purchase. In fact, many
teams have successfully used a fishing tackle box or small tool box.
Here is a list of some basics that should
be in every ice hockey bench kit:
Bandages
Dressing
in Plastic Case
Each kit should contain a pencil or pen and paper
to take notes and keep track of injuries. In addition,
emergency contact phone numbers and medical
insurance information for each player should be
stored on index cards for quick access if needed.
The kit should be refreshed regularly and supplies that are used should
be replaced as soon as possible to assure a fully stocked medical kit is
ready at all times. It is always helpful if a team manager or parent assists
with stocking the medical kit, making it one less thing for a team coach to
worry about. The supplies in the kit will come in handy at all times and
will keep minor injuries manageable and prevent them from becoming
bigger concerns if left untreated.
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