All soccer coaches should create and maintain a well-stocked first aid kit that is easily accessible at all practices and games.  Pre-made kits are available for purchase on-line and they are better than not having anything at all.  It is recommended that coaches make up their own kits, however, because no pre-made kits seem to have everything in them that experience has shown to be useful.  Another approach would be to start with a pre-made kit and then supplement the contents.  The following suggestions apply to creating a first aid kit:

• Utilize a large plastic tool box to put it all in; ensure that it is waterproof when closed and that it latches securely
• Write the coach’s last name on the outside of kit in permanent marker
• Place the coach’s full name, address, and phone numbers, on a card inside the kit
• Refill and replace contents as they are used; throw away and replace outdated products as any expiration dates occur
• Never include any kind of heat producing product
• Do not include or use “smelling salts”
• Remember that more than one player may be injured or sick at the same time – carry sufficient supplies for multiple events
• Keep a current list of the first aid kit contents separate from the kit; check the kit regularly against the list
• The kit may be of great interest to curious children; it needs to be monitored to make sure that it is not accessed by the wrong people; use childproof containers for anything that may look like “candy” or “toys”; consider assigning a parent to monitor the kit at the field
• Label all contents that do not otherwise contain preprinted identification
• Note that the contents of the kit may vary depending on the age of the players
• Take first aid courses; include a first aid guide in the kit

Suggested contents:  (listed alphabetically -no order of importance is implied)

Alcohol Wipes

Antibiotic Cream (“triple”)

Assorted “Band Aids®” (latex free, hypoallergenic)

Athletic Tape (no “paper” tape)

Bandage Scissors

Calamine Lotion

Chemical Cold Packs

Contact Lens Container

Contact Lens Storage Solution

Cotton Swabs (cotton balls)

Elastic (“Ace®”) Bandages; 2-inch and 4-inch wide

Eye Pads

Fingertip Bandages

Gauze Pads, Assorted Sizes

Gauze Rolls

Hand Sanitizer

Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrogen Peroxide

Insect Sting Relief pads, swabs, gel or “pen”

Iodine Pads

Large Triangular Cloth to be used as a sling

Magnifying Glass (plastic)

Nail Clippers

Nasal Plugs

Non-latex (latex-free) Gloves

Penlight, waterproof; Fresh Batteries

Q-Tips® or other Cotton-tipped Applicators

Safety Pins (for sling)

Saline Solution

Sealed, moistened towelettes

Sewing Needle for splinters; sterilize before use

Small, hand-held mirror

Soap

Sterile Water

Sunscreen (SPF-30)

Tongue Depressors for use as finger splints

Trash Bag

Tweezers (Metal); sterilize before use

Ziploc® Bags (1 gal.)

 The following products made by the Cramer company have also been found useful:

Cinder Suds® Soap

Nitrotan® Germicide

 In addition, Mueller company training kits and Baxter company cold packs may be reviewed.

 The following items may also be considered:  (or included in a separate kit)

Blanket

CPR shield

Eye wash

Foil blanket

Hand towels

Irrigation syringe

Knuckle bandages

Oral thermometer

Rain poncho

“Save-a-Tooth” container

 The following should not be kept in the first aid kit, but should be readily accessible:

Cell phone

Medical release forms

Parent and emergency phone numbers

 For parents and adult players:

Parents and adult players must be informed that they are a part of all first aid and emergency activity. They must be prepared to participate in their child’s or their own care.  The following items may need to be available, and are to be administered by the parent or adult-player ONLY:

 Aspirin

Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen

Benadryl

EpiPen

Inhaler

Sugar, dextrose solution

Back-up Contact Lenses

 The items above should not be kept in the first aid kit.

 Note that the first aid kit is likely to be used in conjunction with the Coaching American Soccer-recommended WATER KIT which provides the source of ice for the immediate application of cold to an injury.  Similarly, coaches should consider having a TRAINER’S KIT available for their use.

 Supplemental information may be found on the web at:

American Medical Association

American Red Cross

National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)

National Council of Youth Sports