The greats have long pondered the meaning of deep philosophical questions. Age old questions that stand the test of time, such as: To be, or not to be? Are we alone in the universe? What is the sound of one hand clapping?
As the calendar moves to September, however, Americans tend to ask a different sort of question: Are you ready for some football?
The turn from summer to fall often comes with changes in weather and weekend plans for you and your family. And in many households across the country, the beach towels and sunglasses are replaced by cleats and shoulder pads.
No matter your child's age or ability, player safety is on the forefront of parents' minds. While safety can never be guaranteed with any physical activity, there are ways for each player to be prepared.
Who should be prepared
Regardless of how safety conscious you are, it's important to remember that all athletes should be cleared by a physician or other medical professional before engaging in physical activities. In terms of treating injuries, a certified athletic trainer is always the best equipped to provide instant medical assistance. In addition, coaches and other staff members should have medical tools ready.
But parents can also come prepared! Many football injuries can be minor--the typical cuts, bruises, and scrapes associated with contact sports. It's a great idea to pack your own sports-minded first aid kit to keep in your car.
What to pack
According to USA Football here are some basic items to pack in your kit:
- Band-aids - be sure to include various sizes
- Elastic wraps
- Athletic tape
- Gauze pads
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Instant ice packs
- Latex gloves
- Scissors
- Arm sling
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Wound-care spray
- Ibuprofen
It's also good to be a team player. Go through the list of items carefully to determine which ones fit your child's needs and what could be useful to provide if other players need assistance as well.
Bonus tip: Be sure to have your player's medical information/history available, as well as a list of emergency medical service numbers if 911 service is not available.
Accessibility is key
Keep your first aid supplies in a place where you can reach them easily and are readily available. Dr. Paul Auerbach writes on momsteam.com that it's always a good idea to legibly mark items--you never know who might need to grab something from the kit in a pinch and they'll need to know what they're reaching for. Include plastic bags in the kit for extra materials as well as to sort your supplies. You may even want to label different types of supplies into sections "for wound care," "for an allergic reaction" and so forth.
Buy ready-made kits
If you aren't into packing your own first aid kit, let someone else do it for you. There are kits specifically designed for sports that you can keep in your vehicle for whenever you need them, including the Easy Care First Aid Kit and the Sports First Aid Kit. Be sure to check out the wide selection of kits at CPR Savers to decide which is right for you.
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