American Red Cross Offers Safety Training, Resources for Coaches and Student Athletes

Submitted by the American Red Cross

Back to school also means back to practice for thousands of student athletes and coaches. The American Red Cross has training and resources available for people to learn how to treat a variety of emergencies and injuries that may occur throughout the sports season for students participating in football, basketball, track, dance and other sports and recreational activities.

“Coaches and athletes should have the basic skills ready to help recognize and respond to common sports injuries including strains, sprains, fractures, cuts and concussion,” said Martha Carlos, Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois.

Heat at this time of year can be especially hazardous as athletes take to the practice fields. Coaches should avoid scheduling workouts during the hottest times of the day – schedule them for early in the day or later in the evening. Some other ways to help keep athletes safe include:

• Get players acclimated to heat by reducing intensity of workouts or exercise, until they become more accustomed to the heat
• Take frequent, longer breaks. Stop about every 20 minutes for fluids and try to stay in shaded areas
• Those in charge should reduce the amount of heavy equipment athletes wear in the extremely hot weather
• Dress athletes in net-type jerseys or light-weight, light-colored cotton tee shirts/shorts
• Know the signs of heat-related emergencies and monitor athletes closely
• Athletes should inform those in charge if they are not feeling well

Find where you can take a class here.

The Red Cross offers First Aid/CPR/AED training to teach people how to respond in a first aid, cardiac or breathing emergency through online and in-classroom training.

Developed with the National Federation of State High School Associations, this course teaches users first aid skills to use in a variety of situations encountered by coaches. For more information on classes, visit http://redcross.org/take-a-class.

Coaches and student athletes can also download the free Red Cross First Aid App which features step-by step instructions for first aid scenarios and a 9-1-1 call button, as well as safety and preparedness tips for a range of conditions including severe weather and disasters. The First Aid App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android or got to http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app.