First aid vital in rugby education, training programme

FIRST aid remains an important part of rugby education and training programmes with a course for coaches and interested persons to be later rolled out this year.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) education and training coordinator Sailosi Druma said the first aid level-one training was open to beginners followed by a more advanced course available to medical professionals.
He said the advanced course was a level-two accreditation that would allow people to practise administering first aid at national and international sporting events.
“We did a first-aid course that was delivered by Dr Kapua Kapua for local competitions,” Druma said.
“But big matches like national and international events will require people with medical qualifications such as nurses and physiotherapists.
“These medical professionals undergo another strand of the course which is intermediate care in rugby (ICIR) conducted by Oceania Rugby.
“ICIR allows professionals to get involved at a higher level of the game but the first-aid course is open to everyone who wishes to practise administering first aid at club level.”
ICIR covers aspects of medical care while relating it to rugby and planning for emergencies, initial injury assessments and basic life support.
Druma said the Covid-19 state of emergency had forced the suspension of rugby activities around the country but it would be key to PNGRU’s programmes when the restrictions were lifted.
Meanwhile, he said another strand of the course, targeting rugby development in schools, institutions and communities, would be reviewed.
The Get into Rugby programme is for those who are new to the game.