1. Determine the Need
You need to pack your sports first-aid kit based on what sport the athletes are playing. You're working with limited space, so it doesn't make sense to pack bug spray for the hockey rink. If you're packing for an outdoor sport, be sure to include sunscreen and epinephrine in case an allergic athlete gets stung. Contact sports, including soccer, baseball and basketball, require ice packs, elastic bandages and adhesive bandages. Runners need an antibiotic ointment and mole skin to treat blisters.
2. Insulate Your Kit
Bumps, bruises and sprains are a possibility in any sport, so you should pack at least two reusable ice packs. Pack your first aid kit in an insulated bag to keep the ice frozen. Many people pack an instant chemical ice pack, but these types of packs aren't sufficient for sprains and breaks. Keep the ice packs in closed plastic bags to prevent them from leaking on your other supplies. If packing ice in your first aid kit isn't possible, use a small cooler. You can also store extra water bottles in the cooler in case an athlete becomes dehydrated.
3. Supplies Every Kit Needs
Every first-aid kit needs basic supplies regardless of the sport. Be sure to include tissues, scissors, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, gauze, bandages, disposable gloves, tweezers and a blanket. Having a fully charged cell phone with you is also a good idea, but don't keep it in the first-aid kit unless you're sure it will be protected. Remember that hot temperatures can drain a cell phone's battery.
4. Stay Organized
Chances are you'll need to get to your medical supplies quickly, so make sure you know exactly where everything is. Use small plastic bags that can be closed to separate your supplies. Separate your bandages by size and clearly label each bag with a black marker. Organize the supplies in a way that makes sense to you but can also be easily understood by someone else. For example, keep all of the supplies for treating a sprain together in a large plastic bag and everything for treating an allergic reaction in another. Label these larger bags just like you labeled the small individual bags.
5. Pack Enough
Pack your first-aid kit with the assumption that three or four players will need treatment during any given game or practice. It's important to restock your kit every time it's used. Always keep a spare bottle of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Be sure to pack both kinds of pain killers, as some athletes won't be able to take one or the other. If you're athletes are younger than age 10, you need to pack pediatric doses.
