Contents of a First Aid Kit for Sports Teams

Sports related injuries are a common occurrence and being prepared for these injuries is an important part of team management. First aid kits can be purchased at many retail locations, but these kits don't always contain necessary supplies and the products are often inferior. Organizing your own kit will ensure that you have the products necessary to treat a variety of conditions. It is highly recommended that at least one member of the team's management receive first aid training as well.

  1. First Aid Manual

    • A first aid manual, or flash cards, is a very important item that is often left out of a first aid kit. The manual will give you step by step instructions on how to treat specific injuries and how to properly use the medical equipment in your kit.

    Medical Tools

    • Medical tools are an important part of the first aid kit, and include bandage scissors which are designed with a flat, blunt tip side to easily slip under tight clothes or bindings; sharp pointed scissors, which are used to cut through clothing and bandage tape; and, tweezers to remove splinters and foreign objects from wounds.

    Thermometer

    • A digital or mercury oral thermometer is important, especially when the sport is played in extreme heat. An elevated body temperature can indicate heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

    Ointments, Salves and Drops

    • It is important to have a variety of ointments and cleansing agents in your first aid kit. You should include an antibiotic ointment, sterile eye drops, alcohol cleansing pads, burn ointment and insect sting relief spray. Sunscreen is an often overlooked item, and on hot summer days, doling out a few squeezes can prevent painful sunburn.

    Bandages/Splints

    • Include a variety of sizes of adhesive bandages as well as specialized bandages for fingers, elbows and knees. Additional bandage items include sterile gauze pads, butterfly bandages, gauze roll bandages, bandage tape, ace bandages, cotton tipped applicators, gauze eye pads and finger splints. Moleskin is also a great item to have in your kit. It helps protect blisters and other injuries on a player's foot.

    Miscellaneous Items

    • There are several other items you will need for a well equipped first aid kit. Include several pair of sterile gloves, safety pins, cold compresses, wooden tongue depressors and Ziploc baggies to hold ice and medical waste. Two other extremely important items that are often overlooked include an Epi-pen for allergic reactions and a CPR mouth barrier or pocket mask (such as a Microshield X-L Mouth Barrier).

    Paperwork

    • In an emergency situation, it is important to have contact information readily available. Make a copy of your team roster and include emergency contact numbers; keep this copy in your first aid kit. Include phone numbers for emergency personnel as well. For youth teams, it is important to have a copy of a medical release form signed by each parent in the event you are unable to reach them in an emergency.