First Aid Guidelines For Dojos

Released April 20, 2009,

I. Introduction

The following first aid and medical guidelines are intended to set a minimum standard of readiness for Dojos. It is recommended that the First Aid materials listed should be readily available for use by judo instructors teaching at a Dojo. It is recommended that information be stored in a binder located for easy reference by the instructors. It is recommended that a judo instructor to have a certification in First Aid and CPR. The information in these guidelines are based on the text from “Tournament First Aid Information” by Richard Cirone, M.D. and “First Aid/CPR/AED for the Workplace” by American Red Cross. The materials have been reviewed by

Joseph Fitzsimmons, M.D.

Takenari Asanuma, (Certified Judo Seifuku Therapist), Previous Chairperson USJF Medical Committee

Ricardo Joseph, M.D., Current Chairperson USJF Medical Committee

II. Dojo site preparation

Emergency available information with easy access.

Access to on-site information for emergency response teams if they are available

Phone numbers of hospital(s), ambulance services, and whether or not you have a 911 emergency system

Maps and directions to hospitals

Materials on hand for cleaning

Latex gloves

Red debris containers for medical waste

Garbage bags

Paper towels

Bleach solution in spray bottles (Bleach is not recommended for blue Gi)

90% Isopropyl Alcohol for Blue Gi

Mops, brooms, towel rags

III. Suggested First Aid Equipment

General supplies

Ice bags with ice available or chemical ice

Latex gloves

Cardboard or air splints

Water cups and water

First Aid Kit

Bandage scissors

Small scissors

Tape cutters

Slings

Bandage (assorted sizes)

Tongue depressors

Taping supplies (tape, elastic, gauze rolls, ankle wraps)

Small flashlight

Nail clippers

Thermometer

Saline solution

Eye rinse solution

Medical waste bags (red in color)

USJF Medical Committee suggests that each dojo acquire or try to have access to an AED in case of medical emergency.

IV. Cleanliness

A Dojo needs to be a sanitary location. It is recommended that tatami and other types of mats be cleaned at all times. It is the instructor’s responsibility to check each individual’s health and hygiene.

Every Judo athlete should maintain a healthy hygiene at all times by doing the following:

Making sure their Gi is always clean and washed at the start of the practice or competition

Finger and toe nails clipped before practices and competitions

Any open wounds should be covered at all times

Long hair tied back together out of the face of the player

Hands washed before and after every practice

Be considerate to others during poor health conditions

If you suspect a judoka with any of the following disease/infections immediately call the suspicion to their attention and advise them to immediately seek medical care. It is recommended that the judoka leave the tatami mats at once. The diseases/infections include the following but are not limited to:

Pink eye

Athlete’s foot

Fungal Infection (ie: ring worm)

Lice

If an athlete has a previous open wound, he/she must completely cover the wound before entering the tatami mat and make sure the covering stays over the wound during the practice.

If an injury occurs during practice where a judoka sustains an open wound immediately make an effort to stop the bleeding. If there is blood either on the tatami mats or the Gi, use sanitation products (a 10% bleach mixture) to remove the blood immediately. Make sure to place the medical waste in a red debris container. Seal the contents and dispose of properly.

If at any time the dojo feels that the situation has become out of control, seek immediate medical attention without hesitation.

V. Emergency information

It is advised that the following Information be obtained and this list place by your telephone

Also list ambulance, fire departments, police and 911.

Service	Phone	Address	Comments
Emergency Service	911
Fire Department
Police
Hospital
Doctor
Ambulance
Head Instructor

It is advantageous to print maps to the nearest hospital before the tournament and offer them to participants that require emergency care.

It is recommended that dojos have emergency contact information for each student (including parent(s) (in the case of a minor) and emergency contact person. This information should be updated at a regular basis.

VI. Injury Suggestions

Head Injury

In the event of a head injury make sure the athlete is transported to an emergency room immediately, if he/she exhibits any of these signs:

Unusual behavior: drowsy, forgetful, irritable, violent or decreased orientation.

Unconsciousness: cannot be awakened. Do not use ammonia capsules.

Forceful or repeated vomiting.

A large or soft lump on the head.

Slurred speech.

A convulsive jerking; may be only on one side.

Blurred vision or double vision.

Clumsy walking.

Weakness or paralysis of an arm or leg.

Bleeding or leakage of clear fluid from nose and/or ears.

Temperature above 100 degrees.

One pupil larger than the other. (Be sure the individual does not normally have one pupil larger than the other.) Note whether or not the pupils become smaller in response to light; both should be equal at the same time.

Severe headache.

Pulse should be regular and strong; also note deviations in rate.

The following symptoms are expected after a head injury:

Mild headache

Mild nausea

Mild dizziness

Make sure to inform the family member if the athlete goes to sleep within 8 hours of the injury, a member of the family should awaken him or her at least every 4 hours for the first 12 hours after the injury. In the case of children under 4 years, awaken every 2 hours.

Be sure not to give aspirin or any kind of medication under any circumstances.

Further information is available about head injuries/concussion.

Suspected Neck or Spine Injury

In the event of a suspected neck or spine injury keep the person still and do not let them move around. Follow American Red Cross procedures. Call 911.

VII. Handout for Head Injuries

It is recommended that each dojo make copies of the material below to give to the athlete, coaches and/or parent.

Head Injury Observations

The following information was developed to help you decide the extent and seriousness of a head injury when one has occurred. If at any time you are uncomfortable with the condition of the injured individual call for a formal transportation of the injured to an emergency facility.

It is important for the injured to limit physical activity. The diet need not be changed, unless a doctor gives special diet instructions. The dojo must NOT give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or any other type medication for headache under any circumstances unless the medication is prescribed from a doctor with written instruction on how and when to dispense.

Further information on sports-related injuries and general health is available. Please note that the CDC lists concussion guidelines under TBI, traumatic brain injuries.