First Aid and Safety Training for Coaches 2015

1. First Aid and Safety Training for Coaches2015 Sean Gray, PT, ATC Wethersfield Little League Jim Bankowski Safety Director

2. First Aid… • Emergency care delivered until medical services arrive • Not intended to take the place of professional medical diagnosis and treatment

3. 2015 ASAP Safety Plan • Required by Little League • Copies of the plan can be printed off the WLL website • Details about the requirements are at http://www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/asap/SafetyRequirementsExplained.htm

4. Medical Release Forms • Required from all players before playing • Review them upon collecting for Completion:

5. Medical Conditions to watch for

6. First Aid Kits • Each field box will have one • Field box should be checked before every practice or game for adequate supplies • Contact Safety Officer to restock as needed

7. P.R.I.C.E Principles for Injuries • P Protection (crutches, splints) • R Rest • I Ice • C Compression • E Elevation

8. Universal Precautions • Assume all bodily fluids are contaminated • Wash hands before and after gloving • Always where gloves when dealing with blood, saliva etc.

9. Commonly Seen Baseball Injuries • Contusion (bruises) • Treatment: ice, MD consult if large/painful • Muscle strains • Treatment: P.R.I.C.E.; MD if worsens • Prevent with proper warm up • Sprains • Stretched or torn ligament • Rapid swelling and pain • Treatment: P.R.I.C.E.; MD Consult

10. Commonly Seen Baseball Injuries • Cuts/Scrapes/Lacerations • Pressure with gauze • Recommend: Cleaning, bandage, MD assessment. • Stitches if over 1/4” deep or wide, or any facial injury • Severe Bleeding • Lay player down • Direct pressure over wound with gauze • Don’t remove gauze; add more on top if needed • 9-1-1 • Nose Bleeds • Sit upright and lean forward, pinch nose for 5-10 mins • Don’t tip head back

11. Commonly Seen Baseball Injuries • Fractures of bones • Signs: Deformity • Immediate pain • Swelling • Inability to move • Treatment: Don’t move the player! • Immobilize/support as found – Do not realign • Control bleeding • Monitor for signs of shock (cool/clammy/pale skin, nauseated, weak/rapid pulse, eye gaze) • 9-1-1

12. Commonly Seen Baseball Injuries • Insect Bites/Bee Sting Reaction • Normally mild • Signs of severe reaction: difficulty breathing • Swelling in lips and throat or swelling > 2” at bite site • Dizziness, confusion, rapid heart rate • Nausea, vomiting • Treatment: 9-1-1 • Sun Burns • Recommend: sun screen • Hats • Covered skin

13. Commonly Seen Baseball Injuries • Eye Injuries • Don’t try to remove object with hands or by rubbing • Rinse with clean water (bottle or “cup” water with hand) • If need to patch, do both eyes • Facial Injuries • Automatic MD assessment or ER • Teeth loss • Don’t rub or handle by root end of tooth • To ER/Dentist immediately, transport tooth in milk or saline solution

14. Asthma • Major Signs and Symptoms • Coughing • Wheezing • Tightness in chest • Shortness of breath • Difficulty breathing at night, in AM etc. • Recommendations: Regular MD check ups • Inhaler present (with parent) for all games/practices as indicated

15. Heat Related IllnessHeat Cramps • Painful involuntary spasm in hot weather • Common: Calves, arms, abdomen, back • Cause: often inadequate fluid intake • Treatment: Rest several hours • Fluids, gentle stretch • MD visit if it lasts >1 hour

16. Heat Related IllnessHeat Exhaustion • Often begins suddenly • Dizzy, fainting, nausea, heavy sweating • Skin: pale, cool, moist • Rapid/weak heart rate • Treatment • Out of sun, lay down with feet elevated slightly • Fluids, cool cloth, loosen clothes • Monitor symptoms • 9-1-1 if fever >102, fainting, confusion, seizures

17. Heat Related IllnessHeat Stroke • Heavy work in hot environment • Risks: dehydration, obesity, cardiac disease • Signs: Markedly high temperature • Mental status changes • Hot/dry skin • Rapid heart rate, Rapid/shallow breathing • Nausea, fainting • Treatment: 9-1-1 life threatening • Out of sun, loosen/remove clothes • Drink fluids/douse with water or ice immediately

18. Preventing Heat Injuries • Play in early AM or late PM • Proper hydration • Keep cool • Light weight and light color clothes etc • Monitor for signs and symptoms • Proper conditioning

19. Concussion Management • GREATEST OVER LOOKED/UNDER TREATED INJURY • Mild traumatic head injury • Assume with any head injury (fall or hit) • Suspend play for that player for the day • 9-1-1 if any loss or consciousness or condition worsens • MD Assessment prior to return to play • Mild Concussion can 2nd Impact Syndrome Lead to

20. Observed Unconscious (any amount) Dazed, confused Slow moving or answering questions Memory loss about details Ask score, inning, date Clumsy Stated Head ache/pressure Nausea/vomiting Dizziness Confusion Change in sight/hearing “Don’t feel right” Signs of a Concussion

21. Concussion Recommendations • Should be observed closely 24 hours • Awake each 4-6 hrs for alertness/arousability • Should not take aspirin or Advil • Signs requiring immediate attention * Unequal pupils * Slurred speech * Ringing in ears * Unconsciousness * Worsening headache * Vomiting or nausea * Memory changes * Blurred Vision * Drowsiness * Unsteady/awkward mvmt * Difficulty walking * Convulsions * Any other abnormal condition * “don’t feel right”

22. Guidelines on Determining Extent of Injury • Primary Assessment: Is EMS required? • Is the player breathing? • Is the player conscious? • Is the player bleeding? • Secondary Assessment: • Ask “what happened, what hurts”? • Concern of serious injury?

23. When to call 9-1-1 • Concern of serious injury • Heat illness, allergic reaction, shock • Severe concussion, Any loss of consciousness • Cardiac issues, respiratory distress • Suspected fracture or internal organ issue • Unable to get off field on own power • Severe bleeding • Facial injury • Worsening signs and symptoms • When in doubt… • Parent or responsible adult (i.e. coach) must accompany child in ambulance

24. Injury Reports • Required for: • All injuries requiring first aid or EMS attention • Must be reported to league safety officer within 24 hours • Other “near miss” incidents • Close calls – injury could have occurred • Inform safety officer/s • Reports will be followed up on and be maintained for 2 years

25. Returning from Injury Guidelines • Get medical clearance prior to return • No pain or limitation with running, moving, playing

26. Medications • Coaches, Managers should not issue ANY medications or inhalers • Asprin • Tums • Inhalers • Etc, etc, etc.

27. Pre-game (practice) Survey • Walk the fields and look for/remove any hazards (rocks, glass other debris) • Inspect backstop, fences, dugouts, bleachers and other areas • Inspect helmets, bats, catchers gear and all required equipment • Assure the first aid kit and phone are available in case of emergencies • Remind players of the rules regarding on-deck batting and swinging of bats in dugout is prohibited • Complete and initial the Facility/Equipment Checklist Sign Off Sheet (in equipment boxes at each field)

28. Lightening Safety • Suspend play when lightening is seen or thunder is heard • Wait 20 mins after last thunder/lightening before resuming • Retreat to safe place (i.e. car) • Do not seek shelter near tree, light pole, telephone line, flag pole or dug out

29. Resource/Contact Jim Bankowski League Safety Officer Phone: 860-529-5682 Cell: 860-965-0248 Jbanker15@gmail.com www.littleleague.org