What to keep in your Bum Bag on matchday?

Injuries can happen at anytime and will vary from simple and quick fixes to more serious issues, but to combat the need for fast and effective assistance physiotherapists, especially in rugby will use a bum bag to carry supplies and keep both their hands free. By keeping your hands free a bum bag means that you can treat injuries quickly and effectively, however with surprisingly a large amount of space to fill what should you have in your bum bag. We’ve spoken to Castleford Tigers First Team Assistant and Head Academy Physiotherapist Karl Blenkin about what he packs in his Firstaid4sport bum bag on a matchday. Short Pockets In his short pockets Karl will always carry a small ‘blood towel’ which is either a large gauze or small cheap single use flannel to be disposed of after game. As well as this Karl carries a pair of spare gloves and his medical radio, as effective communication is essential. Outside of bag On the outside of the bag Karl has a can of Trimona grip spray in the netting holder. In the other netting holder Karl recommends keeping an electrolyte drink such as Lucozade. As well as this Karl will have a Firstaid4sport towel folded over the strap of the Bum Bag and will also carry a bottle of water in his hand. Outside small front pocket In the front pocket of the bag Karl keeps nose plugs, a pair of small 14cm lister bandage scissors, an eye wash pod. Karl also keeps 7cm gauze patches, which can be applied to smaller cuts that will bleed a significant amount such as on the hand. The patches can be placed on and strapped over. Finally, any specialist items such as contact lenses and personal medications for the players will live in this front pocket. Main large pouch In the large punch it is important to have items which are quick to sue but still provide a good level of support, for example a physiotherapist will prefer to have tearable tape where possible. Within the netting inside the large pouch Karl keeps a small tub of Vaseline to be used on cuts and a spare large gauze. Karl keeps a 7.5cm roll of Black Max Tape that can be used to quickly wrap and ankle over the top of a boot during the game for additional support, as well as a 5cm roll of Black Max Tape which is used to cover small cuts to the head. If the cut is bleeding Max Tape will be used to simply stop the bleeding before further check of the neck and head for any serious injury. If the cut is isolated, then it will need gauze and potentially Vaseline before being locked off with either PVC or premium tan zinc oxide. Karl does keep a half-used roll of 3.8cm Premium Tan Zinc Oxide tape which is used either to lock off or provide additional support. He also keeps a roll of Firstaid4sport black PVC sock tape. Karl also keeps a roll of 1.25cm Zinc Oxide tape which can be used to ‘buddy tape’ two fingers together. For other low-level hand or finger injuries Karl keeps a roll 2.5cm EAB Tear Light tape in the main pouch of the bag. Finally, in the main pouch of the bum bag Karl keeps a 7.5cm Leukoband, used when stronger tapes are required such as lower grade elbow injuries, and a 2.5cm Leukoband used mainly for low level thumb injuries. Both od these tapes requires scissors to be cut.