Sports Injuries Matt Morris

Recap: Immediate treatments – ABC Calling for an Ambulance Contents of a First Aid Box Recovery Position

Aims and Objectives Aims: Objectives: To continue to identify what to do in a first aid situation. Objectives: To introduce how to treat injuries related to bleeding, shock and fractures. To introduce SALTAPS and PRICED.

Bleeding A person may suffer from external bleeding, which is usually obvious to the first aider as blood flows out from the site of injury. Internal bleeding, however, is not so obvious – it is not visible as the blood is flowing out of the injury site into the body. The first aider should ensure they are adequately protected when dealing with a casualty who is bleeding to ensure they do not expose themselves to blood-borne viruses.

External Bleeding Should be treated in the following manner: Lay casualty down Apply direct pressure with a gloved hand or finger to the site of bleeding, and, as soon as possible, place a clean dressing over the wound. Elevate and rest the injured part when possible Seek medical assistance

Internal Bleeding Signs and Symptoms Treatment Coughing up red froth blood 1. Lay the casualty down Vomiting blood 2. Raise the legs or bend the knees Faintness or dizziness 3. Loosen tight clothing Weak, rapid pulse 4. Urgently seek medical assistance Cold, clammy skin 5. Reassure the casualty Rapid, gasping breathing

Shock When a person is suffering shock, there is not enough blood going to the major organs of the body. Shock can be caused by a number of things, including burns, electric shock, allergic shock or severe injuries. A person suffering from shock will usually have cool, moist skin, a weak, rapid pulse and shallow breathing. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting or trembling.

Shock – Treatment The treatment for a conscious casualty suffering from shock is to reassure them, then try and find out and treat the cause of shock, such as control any bleeding. Keep the casualty laying down and check the neck, spine, head or abdomen injuries. If none of these injuries is apparent then the casualty's feet should be raised so that they are higher than their head.

Fractures There are five different types of fracture. All the closed fractures can be treated in a similar manner, but an open fracture needs special attention. A person can be diagnosed as having a fracture if; the injured area looks deformed or is tender, if there is swelling in the area, If the casualty cannot move the injured part If there is a protruding bone, bleeding or discoloured skin at the injury site The casualty should be told firmly not to move the injured part.#, since such movement could cause further damage to the surrounding tissues and make the casualty go into shock.

Fracture – Treatment A fracture should be immobilised in order to prevent the sharp edges of the bone from moving and cutting the tissue, muscle, blood vessels and nerves. The injured body part can be immobilised using splints or slings. If a casualty has an open fracture, the first-aider should never attempt to push the bones back under the skin. A dressing should be applied to the injury site to protect the area and pressure should be applied in order to try to limit the external bleeding. A splint can be applied, but should not be placed over the protruding bone.

SALTAPS The sooner an injury is treated, the greater the chances of a complete recovery and the faster the rehabilitation. The immediate treatment can summarised by the acronym SALTAPS: See the injury occur and the mechanism of injury Ask the casualty what is wrong and where they have pain Look for sign of bleeding, deformity of limbs, inflammation, swelling and redness. Touch the injury, or close to the injury for signs of heat, tenderness, loss of change of sensation and pain. Active movement – ask the casualty to move the injured area; if they are able to, ask them to move it though its full range of movement. Passive movement – try to the injured site only is a good range of movement is available Strength – if the casualty has been taken through the steps above with no pain, use resisted movements to assess loss of function.

PRICED Protect Rest Ice Compression Elevation Diagnosis