First Aid Basics Every Sports Group in Kathmandu Should Know

A child trips during futsal and clutches their ankle. A friend takes a cricket ball to the head. Someone faints in the heat at a Saturday tournament. The venue staff are kind but unsure. You are the closest adult.

This is the simple, parent-tested first aid you should know. Five minutes of reading now beats panicking later.

What every group should carry

You do not need a medical kit the size of an ambulance. A simple bag with these items handles 90% of sports incidents:

• Crepe bandage (one wide, one narrow)
• Adhesive bandages / Band-Aids (several sizes)
• Antiseptic wipes (Dettol or savlon sachets)
• Antiseptic cream (small tube)
• Cotton pads and medical tape
• Disposable gloves (a pair, latex or nitrile)
• Instant cold pack OR a bottle of frozen water in a cloth sleeve
• Pain reliever (paracetamol — never give aspirin to children)
• ORS sachets (2-3, for dehydration)
• Tweezers and small scissors
• A list of emergency numbers (we list them below)

Total cost: roughly Rs. 1,200-1,800 to assemble. Replace expired items every six months.

Emergency numbers in Kathmandu

Save these in your phone today:

• Ambulance: 102 (free service, but response times vary)
• Police: 100
• Norvic Hospital ambulance: 01-4258554
• B&B Hospital ambulance: 01-5535357
• Patan Hospital emergency: 01-5522266
• Kathmandu Model Hospital: 01-4240805

For a serious injury, calling a known hospital's ambulance is often faster than 102 in Kathmandu. Tell the dispatcher the exact venue address.

The first 10 minutes: the framework

For any injury at a venue, follow this order. Calm, slow, in sequence.

1. Pause everyone. Stop the game. Move other players away.
2. Check responsiveness. Talk to the injured person. If they respond clearly, the situation is manageable.
3. Don't move them yet if it's a fall, blow to the head, or visible deformity.
4. Identify the worst issue first. Bleeding, breathing, consciousness — in that order.
5. Treat what you can. See sections below for specific injuries.
6. Call for help if needed. Don't delay calling 102 or a hospital because "they look okay."
7. Stay with them. Do not leave them alone.

The framework above is more important than knowing every specific technique.

Common sports injuries and the right response

Sprained ankle (most common)

Symptoms: pain, swelling, sometimes inability to put weight on the foot.

Do this:

• Help them sit down and remove the shoe (gently, before swelling locks it).
• Apply RICE for the first 24-48 hours:
  • Rest — no weight on it
  • Ice — 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, 4-5 cycles in the first 4 hours
  • Compression — wrap with crepe bandage (firm, not tight enough to numb)
  • Elevation — leg raised above hip level when seated or lying down
• Paracetamol for pain.
• See a doctor if: swelling is severe, pain doesn't improve in 48 hours, or they can't bear any weight after 24 hours.

Cuts and scrapes

Do this:

• Wash hands or wear gloves.
• Rinse the wound with clean water for 1-2 minutes.
• Apply antiseptic wipe or cream.
• Cover with a clean bandage or pad.
• See a doctor if: the cut is deep, bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or it's on the face, hand, or near a joint. Tetanus shot may be needed if last one was more than 5 years ago.

Head impact (ball, collision, fall)

Take this one seriously. Even if the person seems fine.

Do this:

• Help them sit and rest immediately.
• Ask: name, where they are, what day it is, what happened. Confusion = concerning.
• Watch for: vomiting, severe headache, slurred speech, drowsiness, unequal pupils, behaving differently.
• Apply cold pack to the bump area (not directly to skin — wrap in cloth).
• See a doctor immediately if any of the above warning signs appear, even hours later. Concussion symptoms can be delayed.
• No sport for at least 24 hours after any head impact. No sport for 7+ days if a concussion is diagnosed.

Broken or possibly broken bone

Signs: visible deformity, severe pain, inability to move the limb, immediate intense swelling.

Do this:

• Do not try to straighten or "set" anything.
• Immobilize the limb in the position it's in — use a magazine or piece of wood as a temporary splint, secured with cloth strips.
• Apply cold pack if possible.
• Get to a hospital. Call an ambulance for leg, hip, or back injuries.

Heat exhaustion (common in May-June matches)

Symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, pale clammy skin.

Do this:

• Move them to shade or indoors.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Cool with damp cloth on neck, armpits, forehead.
• Sip ORS or water with a pinch of salt and sugar — small sips, not gulps.
• Hospital immediately if they become confused, vomit, stop sweating despite heat, or temperature exceeds 39°C — this is heatstroke, a medical emergency.

Dehydration

Symptoms: dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine, fatigue.

Do this:

• Sit in shade.
• Sip water or ORS slowly.
• Recovery should be visible within 30 minutes. If not, see a doctor.

Fainting

Do this:

• Lay them down flat, legs raised.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Check breathing. If breathing normally, they should recover in 1-2 minutes.
• When they wake, offer water and let them rest 15-20 minutes before standing.
• Hospital if: they don't regain consciousness in 1 minute, hit their head when falling, or this is a repeat episode.

Asthma attack

If a player carries an inhaler, they know what to do — but bystanders can help:

• Help them sit upright (not lying down).
• Stay calm, encourage slow breathing.
• Their inhaler: 1-2 puffs, wait 1 minute, repeat if needed.
• Hospital if: no improvement after 4 puffs over 5 minutes, lips turning blue, or they can't speak full sentences.

What to ask your venue before booking

For parents organizing kids' play, ask the venue:

1. Is there a first-aid kit on site? Where is it?
2. Is a staff member trained in basic first aid?
3. What's the nearest hospital and how do you contact an ambulance?
4. Is there a water source on premises?
5. What's the protocol if a player gets hurt?

Many Kathmandu venues have improved on these — some still haven't. Knowing the answer matters more than the answer itself.

What groups should do before every match

A 30-second team check before play:

• Anyone playing on injury or illness? Sit them out.
• Anyone with asthma or allergies? Confirm inhalers and meds are accessible.
• Anyone new to this group? Note any medical conditions quietly.
• Water bottles filled? Cold pack accessible?

For kids' groups, one adult should be designated as the first-aid lead — the person who acts if something happens.

What not to do

Things that make injuries worse:

• Don't apply hot oil or balm to a fresh sprain. Use cold for the first 48 hours.
• Don't "shake them awake" if someone has fainted — let them come around.
• Don't move someone with suspected back or neck injury unless they're in immediate danger.
• Don't give food or drink to someone who is drowsy or might need surgery.
• Don't ignore "I'm fine" after a head impact. Watch for 24 hours.
• Don't share painkillers without knowing the person's allergies.

How Maidaan helps

Safety starts with choosing venues that take it seriously. Browse Maidaan venues and look for ones that mention first-aid availability in their listing. For broader safety guidance when picking venues for kids, see our 12-point safety checklist for kids' sports venues and our parent's guide to sports in Kathmandu.

Bottom line

Carry a basic kit. Know the framework. Save the emergency numbers. The five minutes of preparation prevents the hour of panic. Browse Maidaan venues and pick safety-conscious ones for your group.