FIRST AID POLICY

FIRST AID POLICY

(1) First Aid Officers MUST wear a red bib. This is to be worn over their uniform if they are an external company.
(2) They must be visible on the field at all times, if 2 oval are running at the same time you need 2 First Aid Officers
(3) In all instances the First Aid Officer will be the first responder to injured players. If assistance is required then the First Aid Officer will signal to team official (trainer) if help is needed
(4) They must get to any injured player as quick as possible
(5) If there is now First Aid Officer the game WILL NOT commence
(6) They MUST abide by the concussion rule
(7) If a club has their own First Aid person for any team they MUST sit with the First Aid Officer unless specifically treating a player in the coaches box. Once they have treated the player they must return to the First Aid Officer.

FIRST AID OFFICER (minimum 1 required)
· Home/hosting clubs must provide a First Aid Officer
· First Aid Officer MUST be in the match day area whilst a match is in progress.
· Matches are not to commence without a First Aid Officer in place
· The First Aid Officer will provide their own medical kit, unless supplied by the home club
· Under no circumstances is an injured player to be moved by any person until they have been assessed by the First Aid Officer
· The home club must provide a stretcher accessible to the First Aid Officer
· First Aid Officer must be of a suitable age
· First Aid Officer must wear a Red Bib
· First Aid Officer must abide by the AFL’s Code of Conduct
· If more than one oval is in use, a First Aid Officer MUST be provided for each oval
· Refer to Rule 22 for further information about the First Aid Policy including First Aid Officer Qualifications (rule 22.1)
 
FIRST AID POLICY
While it is the home team’s responsibility to provide a First Aid Officer, it is the visiting team official’s (i.e. Coach/Manager) responsibility to check with the home team that in fact such a person is on duty and qualified.
The First Aid Officer’s name must be on the team sheet in the space provided.
If a qualified First Aid Officer is not present then it is the duty of the visiting team official to report to the central umpire. A period of fifteen (15) minutes will take place for the home team to provide this person, if at this time the situation remains the same the visiting team can provide a qualified First Aid Officer and the game can commence.
If no qualified First Aid Officer is available the game will not commence under any circumstance. The field umpire will declare the game a forfeit and advise the Competition Manager.
If first aid is needed and the advice is that the player shall not continue playing, the coach shall abide by the decision of the qualified First Aid Officer.
Each oval must have a qualified First Aid Officer, properly stocked First Aid kit and a stretcher.
First Aid Officer will be required to sit in the official first aid area for the match and not in the coaches’ box. First Aid Officer is permitted to attend to an injured player in the coaches box, however when not required must remain in the official first aid area.
The officially appointed First Aid Officer on the day is in charge of all players on the playing field, shall have the final say as to the suitability of a player to resume playing the current match and is the only match official that is permitted to request a stretcher.
Under no circumstances is a team official other than the First Aid Officer allowed on to the ground to treat an injured player.
All personnel must remember that they can only provide a level of care consistent with the limits of their qualifications. All personnel must ensure that their duty of care to the patient, club, and association is followed at all times and that, as perceived professionals to the public, there is a liability to provide the highest level of care available at any time.
It is recommended that the First Aid Officer confidentially discuss any treatment or decision with higher qualified personnel, if available, to ascertain the best outcome for the health and safety of the injured person(s) prior to announcing their decision.
Team Manager will inform the First Aid Officer, prior to the start of any match, the status of any players who have religious or ethnic concerns regarding treatment, whatever they may be, and a suitable action plan is to be devised and wherever possible followed.
In all instances the First Aid Officer will be the first responder to injured players. If assistance is required then the First Aid Officer will signal to team officials who will then attend the site of the injured player with the appropriate equipment required as signalled (e.g. splint, stretcher, cervical collar, oxygen, additional supplies etc.).

CONCUSSION
To ensure the safety of players participating in organised matches, the following is adopted for players rendered unconscious:
· When there has been any period of unconsciousness however short, or any amnesia, the player should not continue in the game.
· When unconscious or amnesic for less than 5 minutes, the player should not resume sporting activity for two weeks.
· When unconscious or amnesic for more than 5 minutes and up to one hour the player should not resume sporting activity for three weeks.
· When unconscious or amnesic for over one hour and less than 24 hours, the player should not resume sporting activity for a period of two to three months.
· Following an operation for brain damage or blood clot, the player should not return to contact sport or to situations where there is the likelihood of future head injury.
· Furthermore, the player in question will not be permitted to participate in training or further competition matches until they have obtained a written medical clearance from a qualified medical practitioner. The clearance is to be sighted by the club and Competition Manager. If team officials are unsure, or unable to decide if a player has been rendered unconscious during the match, it is considered preferable to err on the side of caution, and ensure that he/she does not compete again that day, and obtains a medical clearance before training or further play is permitted.
Injured players must leave the field of play through the interchange, unless on a stretcher.