Injuries and accidents never leave our side despite our age and secure surroundings. The places we visit and people we associate ourselves can try, but it’s impossible to avoid unfortunate events. That’s why we need to prepare in advance for any emergency with first aid kits and useful medical supplies.
A gym or fitness studio is no different. People might be visiting them to improve their health but instead can, at times, face repercussions of their activities. It can be due to equipment mishandling or some prior health problems that restrict people from exerting themselves. There’s also the possibility that with so many items lying around, it could be the expense of someone’s negligence. But in any case, what’s important is to attend to injuries and save the person’s life.
Not having them available could draw harsh consequences for the person as well as the establishment. Someone might have to live an impaired life or worse, and the gym itself will lose its members because of bad PR. It is why, even if arranging the medical supplies is optional, you should not go assuming that the bare minimum will suffice.
Try to get an expert on board to discuss your members’ possible problems and how you can prepare for them. You can also go online to see the issues reported at other gyms and fitness studios to get a good idea.
Besides that, here is a list of some must-have first aid supplies in a gym for you to start. You can arrange for these first and see if you are missing anything else later on.
1. Bandages & Wraps
The first thing you need to arrange is the bandages. They must be in different shapes and sizes to attend to the nature of the injury. There’s also the need to get moleskin for blisters and abrasions.
It would be best if you also got a SealSkin Wrap to secure the wounds with a protective layer that is gentle on the skin too. And you won’t need to worry about pulling hair while removing them either.
2. Gauze Bandages
Next, you need some gauze bandages for the wounds. These are loosely woven fabrics used to keep them ventilated and help with the healing. The material is soft, don’t stick, and you don’t have to worry about looking after it. Plus, it’s easy to take off for cleaning the wound later on or examining the injury.
3. Hypoallergenic Tape
There’s a significant risk of contracting an infection or experiencing allergies with open wounds. For such cases, you need to have rolls of hypoallergenic first aid tape at your gym. These should help ensure that the injury of your members doesn’t become troublesome for them. You can keep these in a sealed dispenser for easy access and application in case the need arises.
4. Athletic Tape
If you have weights and lifting equipment, you need to have athletic tape at your gym. People use them to keep their muscles and posture in a particular position to minimize pain or injury chances. It can also help with quick recovery from an existing strain on the muscles due to a workout.
5. Antiseptic Wipes
Remember that before applying any bandages, you need to make sure that the wound is clean. You will need antiseptic wipes or alcohol swabs to take care of it efficiently. These are easy to use and could come in handy while dealing with any emergency. Try to have them in a dispenser for easy access for any sudden situations.
6. Antiseptic Cream
Some cases might also require you to apply an antiseptic cream before dressing the wound. It will help keep it wet and free from infections and allergies. Be sure to advise the person to brace themselves, though, because applying it on a wound could sting badly. Try not to neglect this part unless there’s a valid reason not to go ahead with it.
7. Ice Packs
Sometimes you won’t need bandages, tapes, and wipes, but bags of ice instead. Ice packs are essential for every gym. People use them if they have a strained muscle, get an internal injury, or something similar. These can help ease the pain and make it bearable for the person. You can use the sealskin wraps to hold these ice packs in place.
8. Thermometer
Sometimes it’s not the exertion but a person’s health that might cause them to faint. It could be due to fever or a mild illness that they are experiencing for some time. Make sure that your first aid kit has a thermometer to know if this is the case. Otherwise, you might worry yourself needlessly.
9. Scissors
While a pair of scissors may seem small and insignificant, they can make a notable difference while handling the wound. You will be able to make smooth cuts and carefully tie the bandages without applying any pressure. The person you are treating will be thankful for such a gentle treatment.
10. Tweezers
You can’t always use your bare hands while handling an injury. There will be cases when you need to use tweezers to hold something delicately in place. Ensure that you have steady hands for this job or are using an extra pair to assist you with it. That will make the job easier and smoother.
11. Disposable Gloves
Besides all this, you will most definitely need plenty of disposable gloves in the gym’s first aid supplies. You will be wanting to help people with injuries but not by putting your health at stake. Best case, you will help the other person but have to deal with an illness yourself for some time. Worst case, you both caught up in the situation.
12. First Aid Manual
Above all else, you need a way to make sure that everyone knows how to use the kit efficiently. If not, then people might suffer in your absence, and there’s nothing you can do about it. And remember that you only can be in so many places at once.
Make sure that this doesn’t happen by having a first aid manual in your supplies. The instructions can come in handy for someone new and inexperienced.
Summary
These were some of the must-have first aid supplies in a gym that you need to arrange. If anything, they will at least ensure that no situation goes beyond you to handle. Still, being on the safe side, make sure that you have your gym located on the map and emergency contacts on speed dial.