Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:50 PM AWST

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Provide initial management of sports injuries

Provide initial management of sports injuries

Unit of competency
National Code
SISSSPT302A
State Code
D5597
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
06/03/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
069907 - First Aid
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide an immediate response to sports injuries in training or competition situations until the arrival of a health care professional or paramedic. It includes carrying out an initial assessment, managing injuries in line with organisational procedures and best practice and completing reporting requirements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Conduct initial assessment of sports injuries.
  • 1.1. Identify details of the incident in consultation with the athlete according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.2. Identify and assess the injury or condition of the athlete according to organisational policies, relevant legislation and current first aid procedures.
  • 1.3. Request assistance from relevant medical personnel as required according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.4. Inform and reassure the injured athlete and other relevant stakeholders, where appropriate, of initial actions to manage the injury using appropriate communication techniques.
2. Manage the injury.
  • 2.1. Assess the need to transport injured athletes and carry out according to best practice guidelines and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.2. Consult with injured athlete where appropriate to identify contraindications to treatment according to best practice and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Select and apply appropriate first aid techniques to provide initial management of the injury or condition according to best practice and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.4. Follow relevant infection control procedures, especially in relation to wound management.
  • 2.5. Operate first aid equipment as required according to manufacturer's instructions and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.6. Monitor injured athlete's condition and response to treatment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.7. Reassess treatment and amend appropriately in response to changes in athlete's condition.
3. Complete and process reports.
  • 3.1. Communicate information about the injury and its management to medical personnel as required according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.2. Record athlete's injury information according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
4. Evaluate injury management outcomes.
  • 4.1. Review the management of the injury in consultation with appropriate personnel.
  • 4.2. Evaluate own performance and identify potential improvements for future initial management of injury.
  • 4.3. Make modifications to injury management techniques where required in response to feedback from appropriate personnel and own self reflection outcomes.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Details of the incident may include:
what happened
the injured athlete
visual assessment of scene
environment
others at the scene.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
roles and responsibilities of a sports trainer
infection control
reporting and referral
emergency procedures.
Injury or condition may include:
soft tissue injuries
skin injuries
hard tissue injuries
medical conditions:
asthma
diabetes
epilepsy
spinal injuries
head injuries
heat exhaustion
cramps.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
infectious diseases
duty of care
privacy.
Current first aid procedures may include:
DR ABC regime
RICER regime
STOP regime
TOTAPS regime.
Relevant medical personnel may include:
medical practitioners
paramedics
physiotherapists.
Relevant stakeholders may include:
coach or coaches
parents or guardians
team captain
team manager
facility manager
facility owner.
Best practice guidelines may include:
Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines
specific sport industry guidelines
relevant national, state, territory or local organisations' and or associations' code of ethics or code of conduct.
First aid techniques may include:
resuscitation
application of pressure
application of ice packs
elevation
stabilisation of head and neck
application of dressings
application of splint or sling
fluid replacement.
Infection control procedures may include:
application of universal precautions
disposal of contaminated waste.
First aid equipment may include:
first aid kit
personal protective equipment
stretchers.
Changes in athlete's condition may include:
improvement
deterioration
signs of shock.
Athlete's injury information may include:
injury sustained
cause or causes of injury
treatment applied
response to treatment
changes in condition.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
operates effectively as a sports trainer within own roles and responsibilities and organisational systems and procedures to provide initial management of sports injuries
interacts with injured athletes and promptly assesses a range of injuries, including spinal and neck injuries, and undertakes initial management of injuries
selects and applies appropriate first aid techniques for the relevant injury and monitors the response of the athlete within organisational systems and best practice sports trainer principles
evaluates and reflects on own performance in managing the injury to identify ways in which initial management of the injury can be improved.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure assessment and initial management of sports injuries, including spinal and neck injuries, on multiple occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a sport training or competition setting or environment relevant to the specific sport or environment in which the candidate operates or intends to operate
athletes with real or simulated injuries relevant to the specific sport or environment in which the candidate operates or intends to operate
first aid equipment and facilities to provide management of sports injuries.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of applying appropriate assessment and first aid techniques
observation of interaction with athletes, including eliciting information and providing reassurance
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the principles of biomechanics in relation to the initial assessment and management of sports injuries
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
HLTFA301C Apply first aid.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6893 SRSSPT004A Provide initial management of sports injuries Unit of competency
C9542 SRSSPT004B Provide initial management of sports injuries Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBE05 SISSSPT001 Implement sport injury prevention and management strategies Unit of competency