As much as you would want to be careful in the gym accidents will always find a way of happening. It is important that each and every member of the gym be able to dispense first aid to the injured person before the affected person can be taken for more specialized medical attention. Remember that time is always of the essence in these situations and that however slightly significant the wounds or injuries may tend to appear you can never be too sure especially in the gym. Some of the most common wounds that may be gotten as a result of training, more so with weights, will include injuries like ligament dislocation or slight fractures.

This very article will provide some guidelines on things that can be done in the event that injury is incurred in the gym. These actions are critical in preempting the incident that the injuries will worsen and they are necessary in the hastening of recovery. No matter what the accident is be it a knock, or an over-stretch, or even a fall, or a drop, it is the onus of the affected person and the other persons in the gym to seek medical advice without delay. If a prompt diagnosis is made in time, it will go a long way in suppressing the possible extent of damage, and it will also be of much good in hastening the recovery process. Any delays or postponements may be rued later since they may be the cause of prolonged absences from the gym.

There is a simple way of remembering the steps that can be taken to manage the typical gym injuries and these steps are offered in the form of a simple acronym i.e. PRICE. Let us go through these steps:

Protection – Whether it is the affected person or someone else handling the injured individual protection of the wound from further injury is of the essence. This can be done through the application of a brace or application of a splint; whatever that is most applicable.

Rest – The injured person needs to take time off the gym to adequately let the injury or wound heal. Returning to action so early may be premature for the wound and this will undoubtedly mean that the wound won’t have healed sufficiently. Who knows? This may result in prolonged injury.

Ice – The importance of applying ice to an injury is underscored when you consider the immense relief that this action offers. Ice is ideal when applied as a first measure to accidents like both internal and external bleeding, and inflammation. Ice will also help in reducing the extent of the scar tissue that forms as a wound heals.

Compression – This is the action that should be taken by the person who is administering the first aid to an injured person so as to manage the swelling that results after the incurrence of injury. Compression is done by using an ice wrap or just by placing a firm towel over the affected part to curb swelling.

Elevation – This is done to lower the rate of blood loss and swelling. The affected body part should be placed in a position that is higher than the heart so as to reduce the rate of blood supply to the area.

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