SPORT TRAINERS GUIDE MANAGEMENT INSPORT BLOOD RULES • Abrasions – loss of the superficial layer wound, most wounds heal more of skin quickly and with a lower risk of infection Injuries to the skin are common in sport. or other complications. For many types Any break in the skin can be a source of • Lacerations – a deep, jagged edged cut of wounds, covering them with an infection to the injured player regardless occlusive dressing that keeps the wound of whether there is bleeding or not. Skin • Incisions – a deep cut with smooth moist but protected from the outside wounds can also potentially expose other edges caused by a sharp object environment has been found to be players to blood borne infections from effective in improving healing time and the injured player, although the risk of • Puncture wounds – a deep, penetrating quality of skin repair. Occlusive dressings this occurring is low. To minimise the injury that can carry foreign material can be combined with antibiotic creams risk to both the injured player and below the skin to further reduce the risk of infection. others around them, all wounds should be treated as potentially infectious. • Skin avulsion – tearing of the skin, There are many approaches to the usually causing significant loss of blood treatment of wounds; they vary Most sports now have blood rules in according to the type of wound and place that usually include: TREATMENT OF WOUNDS the other specific factors that may be IN SPORT present. There is also a wide and ever- • If a player who is bleeding or has expanding range of products that can blood on their clothing, they must When treating any wound, sports trainers be used to treat wounds, each of which immediately leave the playing field should treat all blood as potentially has a particular purpose or indication or court and seek medical attention. infectious and therefore try to avoid any for use. Due to the frequency and contact with blood. They should always variety of wounds in sport and the wear latex or plastic gloves. range of treatment options available, • The bleeding must be stopped, the sports trainers are advised to seek wound dressed and blood on the For wounds where there is profuse further training in this field. player’s body must be cleaned off bleeding, the first priority is to stop before they return to the game. blood loss. Once bleeding has stopped, clean around the wound site with saline Want to learn more about • Play must cease until all blood on the or warm, soapy water, wiping away from wound management in sport? ground or equipment is cleaned up. the wound and gently removing any loose foreign bodies that may be present. Sports Medicine Australia runs TYPES OF WOUNDS Use fresh swabs to clean the wound area a range of courses. itself. Sterile saline can also be used to Injuries to the skin and subcutaneous wash out wounds. For the complete calendar tissues vary in type and severity. Some of courses, visit of the types of wounds encountered With correct immediate treatment and sma.org.au/course-search in sport include the following: dressings appropriate to the type of VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 3 2018 51