FIRST AID KIT FOR SOCCER
© CoachingAmericanSoccer.com®
All soccer coaches should create and maintain a well-stocked first aid kit for soccer 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 field first aid kit:
Soccer 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; a box which is waterproof or water resistant is best, but may be cost-prohibitive
- Write the coach’s last name on the outside of the 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- Refill and replace contents as they are used; throw away and replace outdated products as any expiration dates occur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 pre-printed 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 (cloth-type; 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-inches and 4-inches 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 or higher)
Tongue Depressors for use as finger splints
Trash Bag
Tweezers (Metal); sterilize before use
Ziploc® Bags (1 gal.)
– Check expiration dates before each season and replace items as necessary.
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, usually kept in a car)
Blanket
CPR shield
Eye wash
Foil blanket
Hand towels
Irrigation syringe
Knuckle bandages
Thermometer (no glass – oral if it is rigid; axillary; no-touch forehead)
Rain poncho
“Save-a-Tooth” container
The following should NOT be kept in the field first aid kit, but should be readily accessible (locked in a car):
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 (kept separately from the field first aid kit and locked in a car), 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
Anti-Diarrhea tablets
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 also consider having a TRAINER’S KIT available for their use.
Supplemental information may be found on the web at:
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)
National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS)
© Copyright, John C. Harves