Roles and Responsibilities of the Sports First Aider
The Sports First Aiders' prime responsibility is to help make sport safer through prevention of injury
techniques, as well as the appropriate recognition, early management and referral of injured active
people.
The Sports First Aider should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and should
work within these qualifications.
Role
Sports First Aiders’ Responsibilities
PREVENTION OF INJURY
Responsible for:
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assessing and advising on the suitability of the venue for safe
participation
assessing and advising on the safety, cleanliness and hygiene of the
change rooms
maintaining team protective equipment
managing existing illness or injury
managing group hygiene
Assist with:
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warm-up, stretching and cool down
fluid replacement
Advise on:
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appropriate change room facilities
individual protective equipment
personal hygiene and infection control
environmental conditions effecting sports performance
Have an understanding of:
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PROVIDE CRISIS CARE FOR
LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES
(as first health care
person on the scene)
IMMEDIATE INJURY
MANAGEMENT
development of skills in sport
rules of the game they are involved with
balanced competition
taping and bracing
Effectively apply the appropriate crisis management techniques, in the
absence of, and until the arrival of, a health professional or paramedic.
The management involves the DRABC regime.
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recognise the occurrence of an injury
systematically approach an injury situation
apply appropriate initial management techniques
know the indications and contraindications of transporting an injured
athlete
know the appropriate emergency hand signals for on field assistance
REFERRAL
Refer the injured athlete to the appropriate health care professional for further
management
RECORDS
Keep appropriate records, including:
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Role
injuries managed and referred
athletes specific medical conditions
Sports First Aiders’ Responsibilities
PROFESSIONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
Liaise and develop relationships with the following people for:
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ACCESS TO VENUE
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COMMUNICATIONS
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ON-SITE FIRST AID
EQUIPMENT
EMERGENCY PLAN
ADVICE TO VISITING TEAMS
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LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
know the location of the entrances and exits at all venues
ensure there is a telephone or alternative means of communication in
case of an emergency
know the location of telephones at both home and away venues
ensure that emergency numbers, such as ambulance and hospital, are
clearly displayed next to the telephone
know the appropriate hand signals for emergency communications
for on-field assistance.
ensure appropriate first aid equipment is available at both training
and competition
prepare an emergency plan for emergency situations
ensure all people involved in the plan know their role
practice the plan regularly
emergency procedures should be displayed, eg. CPR
Equipment
Facilities
Access
Communications
stock the first aid kit with appropriate supplies for the sport
ensure prompt replacement of any supplies used
ensure the first aid kit is easily accessible, clean and organised
Legal obligations and limitations include:
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CONTINUING EDUCATION
more efficient and effective performance of the sports first aider's
roles and responsibilities
 athlete
 coach
 umpire/referee
 doctor
 physiotherapist
 local ambulance
 local hospital
 other health professionals, such as a dietician or podiatrist
 sports administrators
Notify visiting team officials about emergency procedures, including:
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FIRST AID KIT
referral of an injured athlete for further management and
rehabilitation
provide a level of care consistent with your knowledge and
experience
do not undertake advice or procedures outside of your level of
training
it is illegal for a sports first aider to use electrical modalities, e.g.
ultrasound, without direct supervision
it is illegal to provide prescription drugs
Keep up to date with the competencies required of a sports first aider
The Safer Sport Program requires the
Sports First Aider to re-certify every three years
Roles and Responsibilities of the Sports Trainer
The level 1 Sports Trainers' prime responsibility is to help make sport safer. Prevention of injury is a key concept reinforced
throughout every role and duty the level 1 Sports Trainer undertakes. As a Sports Trainer you should be constantly aware of:
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How you can prevent injury from occurring initially?
How you can prevent injury from occurring once an injury has occurred?
How you can prevent the recurrence of an injury?
The level 1 Sports Trainer should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and should work within these
qualifications. In addition to the roles and responsibilities of the Sports First Aider, the level 1 Sports Trainer has the roles and
responsibilities outlined on the following pages.
Role
Sports Trainers' Responsibilities
Administration
Accurately maintain appropriate records:
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injuries managed
athletes medical history
confidentiality
Ordering and maintaining stock/equipment
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first aid kit
sports trainers room
Budgeting
Rosters
Communication
Accurately and effectively communicate with other health professionals.
Develop relationships with other Sports Medicine Australia members to
enhance and encourage referrals.
Continuing education
Responsible for their on-going development
Responsible for keeping their skills and accreditation up-to-date
Drugs in Sport
Be aware of IOC medical code
Know appropriate sources of the information regarding the permitted
use of medications and substances in sport
Have a knowledge of who is eligible to be drug tested
Have knowledge of the Sports Trainers rights and responsibilities in
relation to drug and substance recommendations and drug testing
Have a knowledge of the effects of common Over The Counter products
(OTC).
Education of athletes and officials
Education of athletes and officials in all areas of the sports trainers
responsibility.
Fluid replacement
Organise fluid replacement for athletes during training and competition
to assist with prevention of heat illness
Hygiene
Effectively implement infection control practices
Injury Management
Systematically approach an injury situation using the TOTAPS approach
Provide appropriate initial management of sports injuries and reduce the
likelihood of further damage
Assist with, under the guidance of the appropriate health professional
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rehabilitation of the injured athlete
assessment of the athletes readiness to return to training
and competition
Taping
Effectively tape an ankle, fingers and thumb
Know the precautions to taping
Role
Sports Trainers' Responsibilities
Nutrition
Have a knowledge of:
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components of a balanced diet
fluid replacement
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Medical conditions
recovery
Have a knowledge of:
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Management of specific injuries
pre and post event meals
contra-indications of involvement in sport with infectious
illnesses and chronic medical conditions
the value of sports participation for athletes with chronic
medical conditions
Recognise and provide appropriate initial management of:
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head and spinal injury
trunk injury
upper and lower limb injury
skin injuries
heat and cold illness/injury
Under the guidance of the appropriate health professional, assist with
on-going management of upper and lower limb injuries
Have a knowledge of the use, advantages and disadvantages of dry
wound management and moist wound management
Warm-up, Stretching and Cool
Down
Be able to conduct an effective warm-up, stretching and cool down
program
Re-accreditation is required every three years for Level 1 Sports Trainers to
remain a part of the Sports Trainers Program
DISCLAIMER
"The information contained in this resource is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended, to be advice on a
particular matter. No reader should act on the basis of anything contained in this resource without seeking independent professional advice from
appropriate persons. No responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by Sports Medicine Australia (SA Branch) , the Government of
South Australia or the authors for any loss, damage or injury that may arise from any person acting on any statement or information contained in
this resource and all such liabilities are expressly disclaimed."