RFU RUGBY SAFE
RugbySafe, supported by Simplyhealth, is the RFU’s overarching player safety and wellbeing programme, putting player welfare at the heart of the game and covering how the game should be played and managed to ensure that rugby is as safe as possible.
The RFU provides guidance and resources for all rugby activity organisers on what needs to be in place to create a fun and safe playing environment.
RFU training courses and development opportunities for coaches, match officials, teachers and other volunteers, increase awareness of the game’s key safety elements.
The RFU also engages in key safety research, with findings used to inform the game.
All RFU Rugby Safe information can be found here
Essential Guides and resources on subjects including from medical conditions, protective clothign and equipment and first aid guides can be found on this page.
The RugbySafe Essential Guide on First Aid Treatment can be found here.
Basingstoke RFC First Aid Arrangements and Emergency Procedures
Not every injury can be prevented especially in a contact sport such as rugby, so it is essential that in the event of an injury, adequate first aid procedures/ first aider’s are in place. This will dramatically increase the chance of a full recovery for the individual involved.
The safety of all players is of paramount importance and BRFC will ensure that, whenever a game or training occurs appropriate first aid cover and equipment will be provided. There is always access to a telephone in the clubhouse so emergency assistance can be summoned immediately, and there is designated vehicular access for responding emergency vehicles through the main club car park or via the Pack Lane entrance to the Hockey Club.
Information has been provided to South Central Ambulance to ensure attending vehicles are directed to the correct entrance, and these are;
•Top Pitches - say “Hockey Club entrance”, car park off Pack Lane.
•Bottom Pitches - say “Rugby Club entrance”, car park off Coniston Road.
The South Central Ambulance operator should ask for this information at the time of the 999 call, if they do not please make sure that the caller provides the correct information.
Everybody involved in rugby at Basingstoke Rugby Club has a responsible attitude towards the prevention and management of any injury.
The safety of the individual ALWAYS takes priority over the game of rugby.
General Injuries
Assess the player on the field of play using the TOTAPS system:
| Talk - What happened? Where does it hurt? |
| Observe - Look at the injured area. Is it different from the other side (swollen, a different colour, etc)? |
| Touch - Feel for swelling, tenderness and pain. |
| Active movement - Ask the player to move the injured part without assistance. |
| Passive movement - If the player moves the injured part actively, then carefully move it through a full range of movement. |
| Skill test - If the active and passive movements did not produce pain ask the player to stand and, if lower limbs are affected, see if player can weight-bear and if he/she can walk. If unable to do so, the player may be assisted from the field, otherwise the player should be carefully accompanied from the field for a full assessment or, if the injury is only slight, the player can be allowed to resume playing. |
REMEMBER:
NEVER remove an injured player from the pitch to enable the game to continue.
NEVER lift or carry an injured player from the pitch if the player cannot move him or herself.
ALWAYS stop the game a serious injury is suspected.
Acute / Severe Injuries
In the event of a suspected acute or catastrophic injury, it is important that everyone - players, coaches, referees and administrators - knows what to do. This should be documented in the emergency plan as follows:
1. Call for help.
2. Call for an ambulance:
Act promptly and call immediately for professional medical help, including the defibrillator personnel on duty that day if needed – in the event of a suspected spinal or other serious injury, DO NOT MOVE THE PLAYER. Wait until a properly qualified person is able to supervise the procedure.
3. Speak to the player.
4. Check airway - remove mouth guard.
5. Check breathing.
6. Check circulation.
7. Do not move the player.
8. Stay with the player and continue communication.
9. Keep player warm until professional help arrives.
Cardiac Arrest
The club has a defibrillator (AED), which is situated outside the office. There are now a number of first aiders who are trained to use the defibrillator.
In the event that a cardiac arrest is suspected, a trained first aider must be contacted immediately to decide if the defibrillator equipment needs to be deployed. The assistance of other attending First Aiders may also be required during this process.
One of the following Rugby Safe Leads MUST ALWAYS be called when the defibrillator is deployed:
Sarah Whatmore (Joint Rugby Safe Lead - Youth and Mini Section) – 07778 934468
Lindsay Dobroschke (Joint Rugby Safe Lead - Senior Section) – 07734 934204
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains and bruising should be treated using the method known as PRICED:
| Protect - Once an injury has occurred, it is of vital importance that the injured area and the player are protected from further injury. Failure to do so risks worsening the problem and delaying healing. • Abrasions / lacerations should be covered. • The injured joint should be supported by taping or bracing. • Weight-bearing should be avoided. |
| Rest - Adequate rest to enable tissue healing and repair is vital for any injury. Remember - if it hurts, it is probably not good for the injury. |
| Ice - Application of ice to an injury helps prevent bleeding and further swelling. Regular use of ice is helpful in shortening recovery time and decreasing pain in the interim. Apply ice to the injury for 15 minutes every hour. Whatever the regimen, protection of the skin with petroleum jelly or oil avoids unnecessary thermal injury. |
| Compression - Compression of a haematoma prevents swelling and shortens recovery time. Compression of soft tissue injury limits swelling. |
| Elevation - Elevation of the affected area decreases swelling and pain. |
| Diagnosis - Early diagnosis and correct management is the fastest route to recovery. |
Once the injury has been diagnosed, avoid any element of HARM for 72 hours.
| Heat - Can increase bleeding and swelling and worsen pain and stiffness. |
| Alcohol - Can increase bleeding and swelling as well as masking pain and the severity of the injury. |
| Running - Rest is essential. |
| Massage - Best avoided as it can increase bleeding and swelling, thereby delaying recovery. |
Bleeding
When treating any player, gloves should be worn to protect the player and the first-aider from possible transmission of blood borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Blood must not be transferred from one player to another and as such ALL blood injuries must be treated and covered before a player can return to the game. Any items that have been contaminated by blood must be sealed in a plastic bag and safely discarded.
Major bleeding must be treated as soon as possible to reduce the flow of blood, as this may be enough to preserve a life. Apply direct pressure to a wound first and only apply indirect pressure if this is not possible. Arrange urgent transport to a hospital or doctor’s surgery.
Injury reporting
All injuries incurred during rugby should be recorded by the age group first aider and serious injuries requiring medical attention/follow-up must be reported to the Rugby Safe Lead and Club Safeguarding Officer.
Injuries must be reported to the Rugby Safe Lead and Club Safeguarding Officer whenever:
• An ambulance is called
• A neck/ back injury or other serious injury is suspected but an ambulance has been refused
• A concussion is suspected
• ANY head/other injury resulting in loss of consciousness of a player occurs
• A first aider suggests seeking further medical advice and this is declined by parents/carers
Injury/Incident Reporting forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page, obtained either from the club office or directly from the Rugby Safe Lead.
Each first aid kit may typically include:
- scissors (blunt ended/Tuff cut)
- elastic adhesive bandages
- surgical gloves
- adhesive skin closures,
- plasters (hypoallergenic)
- adhesive tape/micropore
- sterile gauze swabs
- towel
- compression/conforming bandages
- irrigation solution (sterile eye/wound wash)
- eye pads
- triangular bandages
- sterile wound dressings (various sizes)
- ice packs/Cold spray
- water bottle
- foil blankets
- PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MEDICINES/TABLETS SHOULD NOT BE STORED IN A FIRST AID KIT BECAUSE FIRST AIDERS ARE NOT TRAINED TO ADMINISTER THEM.
FIRST AID KITS SHOULD CONFIRM TO BRITISH STANDARD BS-8599.
A copy of the First Aid Incident form can be found here - 
Download
The information contained in this site has be taken from the RFU website and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for appropriate medical advice or care. If you believe that you or someone under your care has sustained a concussion we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified health care professional for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The authors have made responsible efforts to include accurate and timely information. However they make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of the information contained and specifically disclaim any liability in connection with the content on this site.
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