Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statements provide advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competence, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. The Range Statements relate to the unit as a whole and helps facilitate holistic assessment. In addition, the following variables may be present for this particular unit of competency:

Balanced competition

age

size

strength

skill

gender

disabilities

height

weight

Caring and reassuring manner

personal introduction and identification consistent with other priorities

explaining what you are doing and why

treating the 'person', not just the injury

Conditions and external influences

environmental/weather conditions

other facility users

injury/illness of athletes

volume/intensity of other training commitments

competition program

sport specific coach influence

Details of the incident

the injured athlete

visual assessment of scene

others at the scene

Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation regime

dangers are assessed to

self

athlete

environment

responses

method of assessing response

'shake and shout' or similar conscious assessment

management of

a responsive athlete

an unresponsive athlete

airway

methods of clearing and opening airway

management of athlete with

partial obstruction

coughing

complete obstruction

conscious

head down

back slaps

unconscious

head down

back slaps

finger sweeps

lateral chest thrusts

fainting

breathing

methods for assessing breathing

look, listen and feel

management of athlete with breathing difficulty

management of a non-breathing athlete

Expired Air Resuscitation

how

dangers

vomiting and regurgitation

stomach inflates

circulation

methods of assessing circulation

colour of skin

pulse

locality

rate

management of an athlete with chest pain

management of an athlete with no pulse

call ambulance

commence External Cardiac Compressions

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

bleeding

signs of

internal bleeding

external bleeding

management of internal bleeding (shock)

refer

management of external bleeding

direct pressure

elevation

pad and bandage

immobilisation

check

refer

considerations

unable to control bleeding

specific injuries

nose

hand

foreign body

or similar regime

Equipment

first aid kit

personal protective equipment

stretchers including improvised

Health care professional

medical practitioners

physiotherapists

chiropractors

osteopaths

paramedics

massage therapists

Less serious injuries

soft tissue injury

bumps strains

sprains

management and action

RICER

bruises

management and action

RICER

cuts

management and action

control bleeding

clean, compress

seek medical help

seek stitching within 2 hours

blisters

management and action

clean, relieve pressure and friction with appropriate padding

cramps and stitches

management and action

fluid intake

stretching

gradual conditioning

winded player

management and action

rest in comfortable position

do not push knees to chest

bleeding nose

management and action

sit with head forward

pinch soft part of nose

seek medical help if bleeding persists more than 20 minutes

Life threatening injuries

head injuries

concussion

brain damage

fractured skull

management and action

DRABC or similar regime

seek medical help

call ambulance

neck injuries

management and action

stop activity

do not move if conscious

call ambulance

abdominal injuries

spleen

liver

kidney

lungs

management and action

stop activity

ensure victim's safety

seek medical help

call ambulance

rest in pain free position

Medical conditions

asthma, in particular exercise induced asthma

known allergies eg bee stings

diabetes

chronic fatigue syndrome

epilepsy

Organisational health and safety requirements, safe and appropriate dress and equipment

legislation relevant to the provision of emergency care

legislation relevant to the organisation

operational performance standards

appropriate footwear and clothing and personal equipment i.e. activity specific

technical equipment being in safe working order

Australian Sports Commission Doping Policy

State policies on Occupational Health and Safety issues pertaining to safe work practices

Organisations' medical support team

medical practitioners

physiotherapists

chiropractors

osteopaths

massage therapists

rehabilitation therapists

Other relevant stakeholders

the client

coach/es

other health professionals

parents/guardians

family

friends

other involved/appropriate personnel

manager

facility manager

facility owner

Overuse injuries

shin soreness

management and action

decrease painful activity

RICER or similar regime

correct footwear

orthotic control

knee pain

management and action

decrease activity

RICER or similar regime

physiotherapy

tape

correct footwear

orthotic control

heel pain

management and action

decrease activity

RICER or similar regime

physiotherapy

stretching

correct footwear

orthotic control

shoulder pain

management and action

decrease activity

RICER or similar regime

physiotherapy

stretching

exercises

modify activity

elbow pain

management and action

decrease activity

RICER or similar regime

physiotherapy

stretching

elbow brace

modify technique

Playing area, facilities and equipment

building

playing field indoors, eg, slippery floors

playing field outdoors eg exposed sprinkler heads

equipment, eg, goal posts, gymnastic mats

Protective equipment

clothing

shin pads

face masks

shoulder pads

chest pads

protectors

head gear

helmets

other protective equipment as deemed necessary by the sport

protective equipment used should be

designed to protect against injury

light and comfortable to wear

in good condition

correctly assembled

correctly worn by the participant

an approximate size and fit and not interfere with function

appropriate for the sport and conditions encountered

Resuscitation procedures and techniques

are conducted in accord with recognised resuscitation standards

includes

' shake and shout' or similar assessment

roll to stable side or recovery position

management techniques for clearing the airway

removal of foreign objects

head tilt and jaw support

back slaps

lateral chest thrusts

look, listen and feel breathing assessment

management techniques to maintain a clear airway

head tilt

jaw support

jaw thrust

check for signs of circulation

recovery checks

conscious state

airway

breathing

pulse

Expired Air Resuscitation using mouth to mouth

Cardio - Pulmonary Resuscitation in a one person situation

Cardio - Pulmonary Resuscitation as part of a two person team

steps to be taken if the chest doesn't rise, stomach inflates or vomiting occurs

adaptations to resuscitation techniques for children and infants

RICER regime

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

Referral

or similar

Role and responsibilities ofa sports first aider

maintaining injury management records

crisis management in the absence of, and until the arrival of, a health care professional or paramedic

immediate injury management in the absence of, and until the arrival of, a health care professional or paramedic

prevention of injury by

assessing and advising on the suitability of venues for safe participation

assessing and advising on the safety, cleanliness and hygiene of the change rooms

maintaining team protective equipment

managing existing illness or injury

managing group hygiene

the sports first aider will be able to assist with, under the guidance of the team/squad coach

warm-ups, stretching and cool down

fluid replacement

the sports first aider will be able to advise on

appropriateness of change room facilities

individual protective equipment

personal hygiene

environmental conditions affecting sports performance

The sports first aider will have a knowledge of the importance of the following factors in relation to the prevention of injury or medical situation

development of skills in sport

rules of the game they are involved with

balanced competition

taping and bracing

common medical conditions which may be significant during sports participation

Serious injuries

head and facial injuries

eye injury

management and action

cover both eyes

seek medical help

broken jaw

management and action

victim supports jaw with hand

RICER

seek medical help

broken nose

management and action

RICER

do not blow nose

seek medical help

teeth injuries

management and action

rinse in milk

reinsert if possible

transport to dentist in milk or cling wrap

seek dental help within 4 hours

broken bones

management and action

stop activity

ensure victims safety

soft tissue injury

tendon or muscle tears

joint injury

management and action

RICER

seek medical help

Soft tissue injuries

bumps

sprain

strain

management and action

RICER

STOP regime

stop

stop the athlete from participating or moving

stop the game if necessary

talk

what happened?

how did it happen?

what did you feel?

where does it hurt?

does it hurt anywhere else?

can you play on?

if no, arrange appropriate transport

observe

observe whilst talking to the athlete

general

Is the athlete distressed?

is the athlete lying in an unusual position/posture?

injury site

is there any swelling, deformity or discoloration?

can the athlete move the injured part?

if yes,

does it hurt to move?

is the range of movement restricted compared to normal?

is the range of movement restricted compared to the other side or limb?

if no, arrange appropriate transport

prevent further injury

or similar regime

Warm-up, stretching and cool-down components

warm-up

series of rhythmic activities and exercise that gradually increases the body and muscle temperature

stretching

series of activities and exercises that helps to lengthen muscles and increase joint mobility to reduce strain during exercise

cool-down

series of exercises that gradually lowers the body and muscle temperature

decreases the blood and oxygen supply to the working muscles after a period of prolonged exercise

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competence and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statements.
Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of an effective injury prevention program and the principles of sports first aid in a sports setting
Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories of sports training from the Range Statements
Assessment must confirm the ability to apply knowledge and appropriate techniques to
operate in accord with the accepted roles and responsibilities of a sports first aider
prepare and implement an injury prevention program
assist with warm-up, stretching and cool down
assist with fluid replacement
follow defined Sports First Aid crisis management strategies
follow defined Sports First Aid immediate injury management strategies
recognise life threatening injuries and apply injury management action
recognise serious injuries and apply injury management action
recognise less serious injuries and apply injury management action
recognise overuse injuries and apply injury management action

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)
Nil
This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil
For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil

Required knowledge and skills
Required knowledge
Knowledge of development of skills in sport relevant to injury prevention
Knowledge of rules of game relevant to injury prevention
Knowledge of balanced competition relevant to injury prevention
Knowledge of common medical conditions which may be significant during sports participation
Knowledge of the principles of warm-up, stretching and cool-down
Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology relevant to applying basic first aid
Knowledge of relevant occupational health and safety legislation
Knowledge of relevant occupational health and safety guidelines for lifting and carrying
Knowledge of factors which affect healing
Knowledge of dressings available for dry wound management and moist wound management, how to use them and their advantages and disadvantages
Knowledge of causes and management of unconscious person
Knowledge of procedures for managing life threatening injuries
Knowledge of procedures for managing serious injuries
Knowledge of procedures for managing less serious injuries
Knowledge of procedures for managing overuse injuries
Knowledge of the principles of the DRABC regime or similar regime
Knowledge of the principles of the RICER regime or similar regime
Knowledge of the principles of the STOP regime or similar regime
Knowledge of procedures for effectively controlling external bleeding
Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a sports first aider
Required skills
Accurately perform resuscitation techniques and procedures on a manikin in accord with approved standards
Communicate verbally with casualties and others
Provide verbal reports to paramedical personnel
Work with others in a team situation, as applicable

Resource implications
Physical resources - assessment of this competency requires access to
a group of clients participating in a physical activity
simulated client injury incident
first aid equipment
Human resources - assessment of this competency will require
personnel with competence at sports first aid intermediate level or above
personnel to be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in relevant area
personnel to have attained the National Competency Standards for Assessment BSZ401A, BSZ402A and BSZ403A

Consistency in performance
Due to issues such as reliability and observation this unit of competency must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statements and contexts applicable to sports training

Context for assessment
This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of a sporting activity with a range of simulated clients. For valid and reliable assessment the activity should be conducted with clients participating in a workplace with simulated sports injury incidents. The environment should be safe, with noise to a level experienced with an activity in full operation and support services provided for optimum performance
This unit of competency should be assessed through the observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Communicating ideas and information
Provide clear and comprehensive reports (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Observe, question and compile relevant details of an incident (1)

Planning and organising activities
Prepare and implement an injury prevention plan (1)

Working with others and in teams
Manage group hygiene and support athletes (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Follow relevant infectious disease procedures (1)

Solving problems
Recognise and apply management techniques for injury (1)

Using technology
Monitor safety and cleanliness of first aid equipment (1)