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Injuries on a football field are one
of the risks involved with playing football, from youth leagues all
the way up to professional football.
Understanding how to deal with the initial injury can be
critical in lessoning the severity of the injury.
Preparation
Preparation before the game begins is one of the
important aspects of lessening on field injuries.
It is important to have access to communication with a cell
phone and 911 availability. If
possible access to an ambulance on site is a great benefit.
Emergency equipment including a back board, tape, c-collar, and
splints should be available at
youth football fields. Before
the game inspect the playing surface to determine if it is safe to
play on. Also check to be
sure that football equipment including helmets and mouthguards are in
good working order.
Rules on the Field
When a player is injured on the field, never move
a player if he is unconscious or complaining of neck pain, or has
numbness in his arms or legs until medical help arrives.
The most important thing is to keep him calm and prevent him
from moving his head or neck. If
there is any doubt leave the helmet on.
Remember the rules of basic CPR, A(airway), B(breathing),
C(circulation). First
check the airway, tilt head slightly, lift chin, open mouth, remove
mouthguard, ensure he is breathing.
Second if not breathing start mouth-to-mouth recessatation.
Third check circulation/pulse.
If no pulse start CPR. This
is a worst case situation but you need to be prepared just in case.
On field Exam
After ensuring the athlete is breathing, check
for unconsciousness, ask about neck pain or numbness in the
extremities. If any of
these are present stabilize the head and spine.
Allow no movement of the head or neck.
Leave the helmet and shoulder pads on unless the athlete is not
breathing. If the airway
is in question cut away the facemask.
The athlete should be strapped and taped to a backboard, with
the head stabilized with pillows.
Check for signs of a concussion, dazed, slow to answer
questions, disoriented, slurred speech, memory problems,
incoordination. New
guidelines state that if an athlete has suffered any type of
concussion he should not be allowed back in the game that day.
Any type of obvious injury to an arm or leg should be splinted
on the field before moving the athlete to the sidelines.
If there is any doubt about an injury on the field always be
over cautious or wait until medical help arrives.
For appointments, call Hoffman
Family Practice Associates at 817-916-5180.
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