First aid courses avoided by sports

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 26

First aid courses avoided by sports

For two years the Christchurch sub-centre of St John Ambulance has been trying to get sports bodies to accept an eight-hour sports first aid course for coaches, referees, and administrators. So far, according to the secretary treasurer of the sub-centre, Mr J. R. M. Barker, the response has been one successful course for the netball association. Noting that sports injuries are now a matter of considerable concern, St John is still pressing sports people to take the courses. “Last year, sports injuries cost the country $3l million in accident compensation and hospital treatment,” says a statement issued by the subcentre.

To supplement the attendance of St John first aiders at many sports venues, the sub-centre wants referees to become better able to recognise injuries and conditions and capable of starting initial treatment. Although the course content is the same, the training for coaches and administrators is to help them give sideline treatment.

The course, offered in

four, two-hour sessions arranged to suit the needs of the sports organisers, is adjusted to fit their kind of sport. The four sections of the course are: basic life support; head and spinal injuries; soft tissue injuries; and practice in the treatment of common sports injuries. The first two sections

are for referees; all sections are offered to other groups. “St John Ambulance would like to see every sports organisation insist that its officials make up to eight hours available for the good of their sport and the well-being of sportsmen and women,” says the statement issued by Mr Barker.