Injury & First Aid Injury Lesson Objectives: Consider how injuries might be caused and the type of injury that results. Consider how injuries might be caused and the type of injury that results. Consider the precautions that can be taken to prevent injuries. Consider the precautions that can be taken to prevent injuries.

Getting injured while taking part in physical activity is common and most performers experience one at some time. However, injury prevention should be paramount and all possible precautions taken. Correct technique should be practiced at all times as poor technique can result in injury to performer and opponent! These injuries can be considered in the categories of internally and externally caused injuries.

Internally caused injuries: These are injuries where a performer is solely responsible. Overuse injuries: Overuse injuries: Caused by training or performing too much and include stress fractures and muscle and tendon injuries. e.g. Tennis players – tennis elbow Footballers – cartilage damage Footballers – cartilage damage Stress Fracture: a break in the bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load or constant pounding on a surface such as running. Tennis Elbow: a painful injury or inflammation of the tendon attached to the elbow joint.

Sudden injuries: Sudden injuries: When strain is put on the body due to lots of stretching, twisting and turning, often resulting in injuries such as hamstring pulls. Externally caused injuries: These can be caused by factors other than the individual themselves, such as equipment, conditions or the opponent.

Foul Play: Foul Play: Involves other players, usually opponents and can be serious. This is why rules are in place to stop them happening. Impact injuries: Impact injuries: Many sports allow contact with opponents, e.g. football, rugby, hockey. Impact with equipment occurs such as posts, sticks, boots. Impact with the playing surface.

Equipment/clothing: Equipment/clothing: injury due to damaged (splintered hockey sticks) or faulty (non fixed goals) equipment, badly fitting (trainers causing blisters) or inappropriate (baggy trousers for trampolining) clothing. Accidents: Accidents: Even when precautions are in place, accidents will still happen!

Precautions: Carry out a risk assessment and follow findings. Carry out a risk assessment and follow findings. Warm up before starting activity. Warm up before starting activity. All rules should be clear, followed and enforced. All rules should be clear, followed and enforced. The important aspect of this section is that injuries should be prevented so you should know the most common causes and the steps that should be taken to prevent them. You may also be asked to use examples in your answers. Examiners Tip

First Aid Lesson Objectives: Be aware of action to take if accident or emergency occurs. Be aware of action to take if accident or emergency occurs. Have a knowledge of common injuries associated with different activities. Have a knowledge of common injuries associated with different activities. Be able to identify particular injuries and be aware of the actions that might be taken. Be able to identify particular injuries and be aware of the actions that might be taken.

Accidents and injuries do occur so its important to know what to do if the happen. This lesson will not make you an expert so if in any doubt contact the emergency services.

Common injuries: Head injuries: Head injuries: Ensure casualty can breathe and put them in the coma/recovery position. – ensure mouth and nose are clear. Concussion can occur – lack of consciousness, relaxed limbs, weak/irregular pulse, slow/shallow breathing, dilated pupils and bleeding from the ear. – Get help from experts! Dilated – enlarged, expanded or widened.

Fractures: Fractures: These are broken bones. A snapping sound is often heard but other symptoms include pain in the area, the shape and outline of the limb is abnormal or it is in an unnatural position, there is lots of swelling and you might see the bone sticking out!

Hypothermia: Hypothermia: a rapid cooling of the body when the temperature drops very quickly. Remove any wet clothing immediately and cover them with warm and dry clothing. Joint and muscle injuries: Joint and muscle injuries: these include sprains, strains, pulled muscles, cramp and dislocation. Sprain – the overstretching or tearing of a ligament. Strain – the overstretching of a muscle rather than a joint.

When any of the above occur, you should apply the RICE principle: Rest – stop immediately and rest the injury. Ice – apply ice as it reduces swelling and relieves some pain. Do not apply directly to skin. Compression – bandage the injured area to give it pressure and support. Do not over tighten as it can restrict blood flow and cause further problems! Elevation – raise the injured body part. This reduces circulation to it and drains away other fluids. This principle applies to any soft tissue injury so includes muscle and ligament injuries.

Cuts Clean and dress all cuts with a plaster or bandage for larger ones. Take care with blood – risk of potential infection! If a serious cut, refer to medic. Know the difference between a sprain and a strain and know what is meant by RICE. Examiners Tip: