Having paramedics and emergency medical services at every tournament, game or practice would be ideal, but it probably isn’t possible in most cases. I stress the importance of athletic trainers for schools and teams in another tip. These medical supplies for sports can certainly help in emergency medical situations.

Teams and sports facilities should prepare ahead of time and obtain some basic medical and first aid supplies. Cervical collars should be available in several sizes in case a head or neck injury occurs. Prepackaged, moldable splints, which can be applied to fractures quickly and used to stabilize the extremity to more comfortably move and transfer an injured athlete, would be useful. Additionally gauze bandages, gauze rolls, and tape for rapid application to wounds would be advisable.

Parents and athletes should know about severe allergies and have injectable epinephrine. Facilities should consider keeping an epinephrine injector as well. Often a physician or nurse must obtain one. Organizers should keep one accessible.

Communication ability with a cell phone or a nearby landline, if no cell service exists, is an absolute must.

It is also crucial to have a plan in place to handle emergencies. Organizers should know where the closest hospital is, and you should know the phone number of that hospital. It can be very helpful for people to call the emergency department and inform the doctors that someone seriously injured is on the way. You can also call to ask questions.

This list of medical supplies for sports represents supplies and actions to help stabilize an athlete until paramedics have arrived. Hopefully you and your team will never need any of these supplies or need to use your action plan.