Training & Education

The importance of sport safety personnel

Sports injuries are costly. Not only are they detrimental to health but they are also expensive. Injuries mean sidelined players, rehabilitation and sometimes damaging team results. It is therefore crucial not to underestimate the importance of sports safety.

Sports safety personnel are an integral part of all sports. They play a key role in keeping sport safe. Through their knowledge, skills and involvement, injuries are minimised, keeping players in action, which contributes to sporting success.

Sports First Aiders and Sports Trainers

To keep sport safe, all sporting clubs should employ the services of a Sports First Aider and/or a Sports Trainer to prevent and manage sports injuries.

Before being employed though, all sporting clubs must realise that there are differences between the two disciplines, as outlined below:

Sports First Aiders

Deal with common acute injuries that occur on the sporting field including:

• Crisis management, including CPR.
• Management of hard and soft tissue injuries.
• Fracture management and skin injuries.
• Immediate management and referral of sports injuries (STOP and RICER).
• Control of external bleeding.
• Transport of the injured athlete.

Sports Trainers

Possess skills on how to prevent and manage injuries on and off the sporting field. Sports trainers have an understanding of:

• Preventing sports injuries.
• Principles of injury management.
• Sports taping and nutrition.
• Transporting the injured athlete.
• Common sporting illnesses, injuries and medical conditions.

All accredited Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) Sports Trainers have a current First Aid certificate (HLTFA301B) or equivalent.

Want more?

For those interested in becoming part of the sport safety scene through becoming a sports first aider or sports trainer, SMA runs industry leading courses that are acknowledged throughout the Australian sporting community.

For more information on SMA’s Safer Sport Program Courses or to enrol in a course visit http://www.smavic.org/