First Aid to Succeed: The Complete Sports Guide for Athletes, Coaches and Parents

The Sports First Aid Guide Every Coach, Parent and Athlete Needs on the TouchlineWhen an athlete goes down, the first few minutes matter most. First Aid to Succeed gives every coach, parent and athlete the knowledge to respond quickly, correctly, and with confidence - whether that's a cardiac arrest on the pitch, a head injury in the water, or a broken collarbone at a competition.What's Inside: - CPR and Cardiac Emergency - step-by-step adult and child CPR, compression-only CPR, and when to start- AED Use - how to use an Automated External Defibrillator in a sports emergency- Recovery Position - when and how to use it, and the common mistakes that can cause harm- Concussion Management - recognition, the 3-question sideline check, red flags for 999, and the 6-stage Graduated Return to Sport protocol- Second Impact Syndrome - the most important thing every sports coach must understand about head injuries- Soft Tissue Injuries - ankle strapping, ice application, PRICE vs PEACE and LOVE, and return-to-play decisions- Fractures and Dislocations - recognition, immobilisation, and transport decisions- Heat and Cold Illness - heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, and frostbite - recognition and emergency response- Drowning and Water Emergency - water rescue principles, bystander safety, and post-rescue assessment- Asthma and Anaphylaxis - managing exercise-induced asthma attacks and severe allergic reactions in sport- Bleeding and Wound Care - direct pressure, tourniquets, and when to call 999- Preparing Your First Aid Kit - what every sports kit bag should containWritten for Everyone on the Touchline: - Coaches: the legal duty of care, pre-event planning, incident documentation, and post-incident support- Parents: what to do (and not do) when your child is injured, and how to support recovery at home- Athletes: self-assessment, when to play on and when to stop, and how to advocate for your own health- Event Organisers: first aid coverage requirements, AED placement, and emergency action plansBased on current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines, SCAT5 concussion protocols, and RFU/FA/World Rugby touchline assessment tools. This is not a substitute for a first aid qualification - it is the essential companion that makes your training stick and prepares you for the scenarios your course may not cover.The To Succeed Coaching Team has worked with athletes and coaches across rowing, running, cycling, triathlon and contact sports. This book reflects the first aid scenarios they face every weekend on pitches, rivers and roads around the UK and Ireland.Be ready. Be confident. Keep them safe.