Coaches Injuries in practice - how do you handle?

[GymCAMom]

As a parent, I'm curious to know from the coaches here - if a gymnast is injured in practice, do you as a coach do any follow-up afterward or do you let the family come to you with updates?

 

[raenndrops]

It depends on how bad the injury seems. Most of our gymnasts' injuries are minor, and they will return at the next practice with something wrapped and a list of restrictions.
Most of the time, the parents will update us as soon as they know something for more serious injuries, but if we don't hear anything before the next practice at the latest (and the gymnast isn't there), we do reach out. We don't want to be intrusive early on because the parent needs to be there for their gymnast, and that's why we wait.
While a gymnast is out for an injury (or for a bad concussion that happened at school that keeps a gymnast not only out of the gym, but also out of school for an extended period of time), we do keep in contact with the parent for periodic updates.

 

[JBS]

As a parent, I'm curious to know from the coaches here - if a gymnast is injured in practice, do you as a coach do any follow-up afterward or do you let the family come to you with updates?

We follow up.

 

[NYGymfamily]

Our gym asks us to follow up after we see the doctor, and then after any more information we get. (X-ray/MRI results, restrictions, PT exercises, etc) My daughter is in high school already, so she is able to communicate with her coaches for the most part.

 

[Coach Kate]

We had to fill out an accident report for the parent to sign and then follow up by phone or email the next day.

 

[Aussie_coach]

It’s going to depend on the injury.

If it’s a serious injury, like a dislocation, severe muscle tear, badly broken bone we would always call the ambulance first and secure the help, before contacting parents.

This is expected protocol and how all first aid courses teach, because you have a duty of care to the child’s safety first and foremost.

I understand this would be different in counties like the US due to costs. But in Australia there are no costs for an ambulance ride or a hospital stay or care received in a hospital. So no one will have to pay for this.

If it’s a moderate injury, like a suspected small fracture with no displacement or a soft tissue injury, we would call the parents.

Mild injuries like bangs and bruises we would simply inform them in pick up.

We ask the parents to let us know, when they have completed tests.

If they are in hospital it may take several hours to diagnose the injury and if they aren’t it may take several days. So they met us know when they know.

 

[JBS]

I understand this would be different in counties like the US due to costs.

Not different for us... we call the ambulance for all severe injuries. If the parent gets to the gym before the ambulance leaves... then they can call off the ambulance if they want to. Our staff would never advise them to do this though.