First things first – congratulations! Thinking ahead and making a soccer first aid kit should undoubtedly earn you a medal for adulting.
When you sign up for the soccer season, the last thing you’re expecting is to have to deal with an injury while on the pitch.
But the truth is, there are many different kinds of injuries that can happen during soccer games and practices. From scrapes and sprains to serious concussions, it’s smart to be prepared to be able to handle any need that comes your way.
Knowing that you’ve got a first aid kit stashed in your soccer bag or sports wagon will give you peace of mind.
What to have in a soccer first aid kit?
Get a Soccer First Aid Kit in 1 Click
If you’re reading this article because you want to quickly add a few things to your cart, hit purchase, and be on your way with your day, then I recommend ordering a ready-to-go “coach’s first aid kit,” like this one.
This kit is designed for common sports-related first aid concerns:
- Alcohol and anti-septic wipes help clean wounds
- Ibuprofen and cold packs help treat pain
- Moleskin, gauze, elastic wraps, and bandages help protect the skin from further injury
- General first-aid supplies, like gloves, tweezers, and scissors round out the first aid kit
Create the Ultimate Soccer First Aid Kit
If you’re more the type who is genuinely interested in being as prepared as you can be for any soccer-related injury, no matter the issue, then you’ll want to do a deep dive into this comprehensive list of the ultimate first aid kit for soccer.
- ACE bandage
- Alcohol wipes
- Ankle brace
- Antibiotic cream
- Antiseptic ointment
- Band-Aids – be sure they’re latex-free and hypoallergenic
- Athletic tape
- Bandage scissors
- Benadryl
- Blister care bandages – Moleskin is a popular choice
- Calamine lotion
- Cell phone
- Disposable, latex-free gloves
- Epi-pen – a must-have for players with allergies
- Eye pads
- Finger splints – these can be as simple as popsicle sticks or tongue depressors
- Gauze rolls
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand towel
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Ibuprofen
- Insect repellant or bug spray.
- Instant cold ice pack
- Iodine pads
- Knee brace
- Magnifying glass
- Nail clippers
- Nasal plugs
- Oral thermometer
- Q-tips
- Safety pins
- Saline solution
- Sealed, moistened towelettes – Wet Wipes are a popular option
- Sling – can be a large cloth
- Small, hand-held mirror
- Sunscreen – recommendation of SPF-30 or higher
- Tissues
- Trash bag
- Tweezers – metal, sterilize with an alcohol wipe before use
- Ventilation mask for CPR
- Ziplock bags
Where should you keep your first aid kit contents?
Some people like to store everything in a red bag so they know it’s first aid, while others are fine keeping everything in a large Ziploc bag.
The most important thing here is for you to know where to find the first aid kit when the time comes. As long as the container keeps all the contents of your first aid kit together, and is in a portable and waterproof solution, you’re good.
Who should have a soccer first aid kit?
It’s smart to ensure that a first aid kit for soccer is available quickly at all times.
As a general rule of thumb, you want to plan that there’s one kit accessible at every soccer game or practice.
This means that maybe you designate the team mom to have the kit handy, or the coach includes it with their gear. Or perhaps, a parent or teammate wants to take on the responsibility.
Have the conversation early in the season so everyone knows who is responsible for the kit.
Many soccer organizations may require coaches to take a basic class in first aid so they know what to do in case of an emergency. If you want to brush up on your first aid knowledge, visit the Red Cross to find a training session near you.
How often should you update your soccer first aid kit?
Ideally, you’ll want to check your first aid kit once a year to make sure that nothing has expired, oozed out, or accidentally opened. (A pre-popped instant cold compress does you no good months later!)
Registering for the soccer season can serve as a helpful trigger to check the first aid kit – or, you can add it to your calendar so it’s there every year for you.
