Although rare, serious injuries do occur in soccer. You need to be prepared with an understanding of what to do if a serious injury occurs.

• Evaluate the injured player: keep CPR or first-aid training up-to-date 
• Call the appropriate medical personnel: if possible, delegate this responsibility to another calm, responsible adult at the field so you can tend to the injured player. Contact the parents or, if they are unavailable, the player’s indicated emergency contact. You should keep an Emergency Contact list at all times that contains the player’s parents’ names and phone numbers, emergency contact name and phone number, known allergies, current medications or other details that might help in an emergency.
• Provide first aid: if medical personnel are not available, provide first-aid care to the extent of your qualifications. Remember the following:
  • Do not more the injured player if the injury is to the head, neck or back; a large joint is dislocated; or if a large bone is fractured.
  •  Calm the injured player and keep other players away as much as possible
  • Evaluate whethe the player’s breathing has stopped or is irregular and clear the airway with your fingers if necessary
  • Administer artificial respiration if the player’s breathing has stopped; administer CPR if the player’s heart has stopped.
  • Remain with the player until medical personnel arrive.

Emergency Steps:

1. Check the player’s level of consciousness
2. Send a contact person to call the appropriate medical personnel and player’s parents
3. Send someone to wait for the rescue team and direct them to the injured player
4. Assess the injury
5. Administer first aid
6. Assist emergency medical personnel to prepare the player for transportation to a medical facility
7. Appoint someone to go with the player if the parents are unavailable. This person should be calm, responsible and familiar with the player; assistant coaches or parents are best.
8. Complete and file an injury report while the incident is still fresh in your mind.

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