In the emergency trauma session, we had a brief overview on the acronyms associated with pitch side management. This included SAFE, SABCDE (primary survey), SAMPLE (secondary survey) and ATMIST (what you tell the ambulance service on the phone). After this, we practiced the procedure for the primary survey, going through each step individually, ensuring we had a safe approach (S) throughout. With airways (A), we need to attempt to move the chin down, so that we can place a torch in the side of the mouth. This will allow you to see if there is any debris that needs to be removed. Next, we need to access breathing (B) by looking at pain, depth and rate. With circulation (C) it is important to check the radial artery first. If there is no radial pulse check the carotid artery for a pulse. With disability (D) always ask the player if they have any pins and needles, tingling or altered sensation and then use AVPU (alert, voice, pain, unresponsive) for further assessment. The final check is considered everything else (E) including checking long bones for fractures and breaks, abdominal area for possible internal bleeds, the pelvis by slightly compressing it as well as the thoracic and kidney. The next activity that we did was worked through a case study that could occur on pitch side meaning we would be confident on what to do if the situation occurred.

Before the football match, some of the girls wanted pre-game treatment which included pre-even massage and stretching of the hamstrings and quadriceps. Once the game began there were no first aid issues that needed to be addressed. However, one of the players from the opposition was experiencing anterior and medial knee pain. From assessing her, we noticed that she had a very mobile patella which was possibly rubbing against the tibia.

The other game that I was the first aider for was the BUCS men’s basketball team. In this game there were no serious injuries or incidences, apart from a player who rolled their ankle. They felt a dull ache but they were happy to carry on, especially as they already wearing ankle braces for extra support, which would help to prevent ankle sprains.

Areas for further improvement 

My first area for further improvement would be to ensure that after any incidences, an accident report form is filled out so that the incidence gets recorded in the correct way. If an athlete was close to a life-threatening situation, a near miss incident form should be completed as well as an accident report form. Another aspect that I would like to become more confident in is knowing how to use the spinal board and splints correctly, so if an injury requires the use of this equipment, it can be done effectively and efficiently.

Things to Remember

1. If an athlete has gone down on the field of play, do not approach from the head. This is because they could have a possible spinal injury and you wouldn’t want them to move their head
2. Do not start speaking to the player until you are in anterior hold or manual in line stabilisation (MILS)
3. In order to select the correct sizing for an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) measure from the incisors to the angle of mandible
4. When checking the airways remember to listen, look and feel
5. Try and fit an OPA before an nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) – only fit an NPA if the patient cannot tolerate a jaw thrust
6. If a radial pulse is not present this could indicate a problem with the vital organs, where as if a pulse is not present at the carotid artery this implies that the heart has been affected and CPR should be started
7. If someone describes a pathology as “it felt like something was thrown at my calf “this usually indicates a calf tear as the tendons flick off each other giving this sensation