A first aid provider, here called a first aider, gives first aid treatment at the scene of an emergency (in this instance, sport injury). So he should be close to where the sport is played, and watches to see any emergency situation.

His responsibilities are as follows:

1. To protect the injured player (Safety)

2. To identify the injuries, (Assessment)

3. To give emergency treatment

4. To contact the proper medical team

5. To prevent further injury

First Aid Equipment

A first aid provider needs equipment and supplies to handle any injury. The two must have equipment are: a first aid kit or box and an ice cooler. The equipment must be available on the sidelines at every practice session and game or competition. The first aid kit has content which should include only the necessary items for administering basic sports first aid. All medicines, whether over-the-counter or prescription drugs, should be omitted in the box. It is not part of your training to give any kind of drug to an athlete.

The following are the contents of a well-stocked first aid kit or box:

• Antibacterial soap or wipes

• Adhesive tape

• Bandage scissors

• Bandage strips of different sizes

• Contact lens case

• Elastic wraps of different sizes

• Emergency blanket

• Examination gloves

• Eye patch

• First aid cream or antibacterial ointment

• List of emergency phone number and cell phone

• Mirror

• Nail clippers

• Plastic bags for ice,

• Oral thermometer,

• CPR face mask

• Safety pins

• Safety glasses

Others are:

• Saline solution for eyes

• Sterile gauze roll

• Sterile gauze pads (nonstick)

• Triangular bandage

• Tape adherent

• Tape remover etc.

First Aid Priorities

The situations that are life-threatening form the priorities of first aid. They include: respiratory emergencies like breathing failure and choking, cardiovascular failure, stroke; shock; severe bleeding and poisoning, (Prentice-Hall, 1989). When the coach and other members of the athletic health care team perform their duties, these life threatening conditions will be rare in sports practice and competitions.

However, when they occur, they must be treated before any other injury. To determine life threatening and non-life threatening situations, the first aid provider will need to do on the field assessment of the injuries.