There's Blood on the Court!

There's Blood on the Court!

“That one’s juicy,” I thought, as my opponent lobbed cross-court right into the purview of my forehand sweet spot. It’s a shot I don’t miss, and without even thinking, paddle cocked in the perfect position for an overhead slam, I yelled, “Mine!” and crushed the juicy fruit into the back corner just out of my opponent’s reach. Within milliseconds, on the follow-through from the overhead, I felt and heard the loudest ‘thud’! My paddle somehow came crashing down into my doubles partner’s face.

I couldn’t recreate it if I tried, but my partner and I were too close together, and the next thing I knew, she was on the ground, blood pouring from her nose. A fluke injury, and my initial thrill of winning the point quickly turned into concern.

Where was the medic? How to stop the bleeding? “Good God in heaven, please don’t let her teeth fall out,” I thought. No one seemed to know what to do or where to seek supplies. Thankfully, we found another player who was a nurse and knew the proper protocols, but it was clear there wasn’t a plan in place to deal with injuries.

This incident was a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. As Tournament Directors, we must ensure that we are equipped to handle such situations promptly and efficiently. Here are six essential tips to help you prepare for any injury-related scenarios that may arise:

  1. Find and Schedule Volunteers: Ensure that volunteers manning the First Aid station are preferably trained in first aid and CPR. This can significantly improve the response to injuries.

  2. Establish a Medical Space: If the tournament is outdoors, set up a covered medical space, such as a tent, and clearly mark it. For indoor tournaments, create a designated medical area near the courts and make sure it is easily identifiable.

  3. Stock a Basic First Aid Kit: Equip your First Aid station with essential items such as bandages, gauze, medical tape, paramedic shears, splinter forceps, a standard oral thermometer, wooden tongue depressors, a small flashlight with spare batteries, a CPR mouth barrier, and sterile surgical gloves.

  4. Ensure Accessibility to an AED Unit: Determine if there is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on the property. If so, ensure that your First Aid team knows its location and how to use it.

  5. Prepare for Hydration and Cooling Needs
    : Have cold water readily available, and if possible, sports drinks with electrolytes. Keep ice bags or instant chemical cold packs on hand, along with Ziploc bags for makeshift ice packs.

  6. Have Emergency Contact Information Ready: Always have a cell phone at the First Aid station. Be ready to call 9-1-1 in emergencies and have the local emergency phone numbers and addresses of the nearest hospital or urgent care facility handy.

By following these recommendations, you can help ensure that your tournament runs smoothly, even when the unexpected happens. It’s not just about winning; it’s about ensuring everyone leaves the court safely.

Stay prepared, stay safe, and enjoy the game! 

P.S.: In case anyone is wondering, my partner is A-OK! She left a lot of blood on the court that day, but thankfully her teeth are still intact!