Are you prepared for the worst?
What your first aid course doesn't teach you
My family witnessed a horrific football injury ten days ago: a 15-year-old-boy was the victim of a foul tackle that broke his tibia and fibula. He hopped around for a second crying, ‘Why did you do that to me?’ before falling to the ground. Luckily, a parent was an experienced sports physio and she sprinted onto the pitch before the boy fell, shouting, ‘Call an ambulance.’
Three people were on their phones within seconds. With the physio looking after the boy, and emergency services being called, my recently refreshed first-aid certificate was redundant. However, there are several key lessons to be learnt from what happened next that may prove useful if you should ever be so unfortunate as to witness trauma like that.
1. Look after the other players: Two teams of 15-year-old boys witnessed the horrific accident and could hear the boy’s pain. Adults need to get the players away from the scene and back to their dugouts/changing rooms: this can be delegated to parents. Next time, I would ask the linemen to help. Everyone was visibly shaken up, and many people reported being unable to sleep that night (myself included). The NHS has a guide for help and support after a traumatic event.
2. Emergency Vehicle Access: Don’t be the person who parks their car in the ambulance bay or blocks the access to the pitch. One parent went to the club entrance to direct the ambulance in. I stood by the pitch entrance and guided the ambulance there. A car owner had to move their car first. More delay occurred because my daughter didn’t know the postcode of the club we were at. Note: have two people allocated to contact the ambulance, one to call and one to search/ask others for information.
3. Know what’s in your first aid kit and how to use it: The only thing the physio used was the emergency blanket to keep the boy warm. This was also to cover up the leg (which was bent below the knee) so the boy and his parents couldn’t see it. It might seem like a paperwork chore to ensure your first aid kit is replenished, but you don’t want to be the coach scrambling around your bag looking for scissors or a face mask.
Are you prepared for the worst? The accident should never have happened in the first place: it was a blatant foul. Referees need to stamp out all bad tackles so more players don’t get injured. Luckily, the accident happened in Plymouth, where there is an excellent trauma hospital. Some matches are played on a field in the depths of rural Devon. (Update to this post: a 33-year-old player suffered a similar injury, but with an open fracture, 6 days later in North Molton! The air ambulance was called out).
The weather was dry, and the physio happened to be watching and could take charge. The boy was operated on the next day and was home the day after that. He will miss the next few months of the season, but hopefully, he will make a full recovery.
Everyone in the club rallied around and was supportive of each other, but I still know what I would do differently next time. What is your plan for major trauma? Have you other lessons you can share in the comments below?
On a more optimistic note, you may have noticed the Excelsior website has been updated. It better reflects the work I am currently doing and what I am available to do with other organisations and players. For example:
“I’ve had the privilege of working with James Marshall, and I can confidently say he is an exceptional resource. James is incredibly knowledgeable, clear in his communication, and refreshingly direct—qualities that make him invaluable when navigating complex challenges.
What sets James apart is his willingness to think through problems collaboratively. He doesn’t just provide surface-level answers; he takes the time to understand the nuances of a situation and works toward thoughtful, practical solutions. Whether you’re facing strategic decisions or operational hurdles, James brings both expertise and a problem-solving mindset to the table.
I highly recommend James Marshall to anyone seeking guidance, support, or a trusted partner in their work.”
Chris Plumb
CEO/Head Coach, Carmel Swim Club