Whether you’re managing an adult recreational league, coaching a youth team, or responsible for keeping the team’s supplies together, having a first aid kit with you is a good idea.
Cuts, scrapes, blisters, bruises, sprains, and strains are all common in sports. You don’t need to carry everything under the sun, but you do want enough supplies to handle the minor injuries that come up during practices and games.
What Should Be in a Sports First Aid Kit?
Start with the basics. A team sports first aid kit should include supplies for cleaning, covering, protecting, and managing minor injuries.
- Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Athletic tape
- Elastic or cohesive bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Disposable gloves
- Cold packs
- Blister treatment
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Triangular bandage
- Finger splint or other basic splinting material
- Emergency blanket
- Eye pads
- Eyewash
- CPR face shield or pocket mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Disposable waste bags
The amount you need will depend on the size of your team, the sport you play, and how often you practice or compete.
Consider the Sport
Not every team needs the same supplies.
Outdoor teams may want sunscreen, insect bite and sting care, extra cold packs, and an emergency blanket. Sports with more contact or falls may go through athletic tape, gauze, bandages, and cold packs more quickly.
If your team does a lot of running, blister treatment is another good item to have on hand.
If you’re traveling to games or tournaments, make sure the kit is easy to carry and easy to find. A first aid kit buried underneath everyone’s gear isn’t much help when someone needs it.
Don’t Forget Emergency Information
Depending on your organization, coaches or team managers may also need quick access to:
- Emergency contact information
- Required medical or participation forms
- Known allergy information
- Emergency phone numbers
Keep personal information secure and limit access to the appropriate people.
Check Your Kit Regularly
Bandages, gauze, athletic tape, cold packs, and blister treatment can disappear faster than you might expect.
Check your kit periodically and replace anything that has been used, opened, damaged, or expired. Taking a quick look before a new season starts is also a good idea.
Choose a Team Sports First Aid Kit
If you don’t want to put a kit together piece by piece, our Team Sports First Aid Kit is a convenient option for teams, leagues, and recreational sports programs.
Already have a kit? Browse our first aid kit refills to replace the supplies you’ve used.
A few minutes checking your kit before the season starts is a lot easier than digging through the equipment bag looking for a bandage five minutes into the first game.