Grade 5 Physical And Health Education First Aid In Sports – Closed Wounds, Sprain & Strain Notes
First Aid In Sports — Closed Wounds, Sprain & Strain
Subject: Physical and Health Education — Age: about 10 years — Fit for Kenyan schools and playgrounds.
Learning goals
- Know what closed wounds, sprains and strains are.
- Learn simple, safe first aid steps to help a friend on the field.
- Know when to tell a teacher or go to the health unit/hospital.
Key words
- Closed wound: injury under the skin — skin is not cut open. There may be swelling or bruise (coloured skin).
- Sprain: a twisted joint (like ankle or wrist) that hurts because ligaments are stretched or torn.
- Strain: a pulled muscle or tendon from overstretching or sudden strong use.
How these happen (Causes)
- Falling badly during a game (football, netball, athletics).
- Wrong landing after a jump or sudden twist of the foot.
- Overuse of muscles — running too long without rest.
- Colliding with another player or uneven ground on the pitch.
Signs to look for (What you see or feel)
- Swelling (bulge) or bruise on the skin — for closed wounds.
- Pain when moving the joint or muscle.
- Difficulty putting weight on a leg or walking.
- A popping sound when the injury happened (may mean a bad sprain).
Basic First Aid Steps (Safe and simple)
Always first: stop the game, sit the person down, and calm them. Tell the teacher or coach.
For Closed Wounds (no broken skin)
- Check for pain and swelling.
- Apply a cold pack (ice wrapped in a cloth) for 10–15 minutes. No ice directly on skin.
- Rest and keep the injured part raised if possible.
- Watch for increasing pain, numbness, or spreading bruises — tell the teacher or go to the clinic.
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For Sprain and Strain — RICED
RICE is easy to remember. Add D for Doctor if needed.
- Rest — stop moving the injured part.
- Ice — cold pack for 10–15 minutes, every hour for the first day.
- Compression — light bandage to reduce swelling (not too tight).
- Elevation — keep the part up above heart level if you can.
- Doctor/Teacher — tell them if pain or swelling is bad or steady.
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How to make a safe sling or support (quick)
If a friend hurts their arm, use a clean cloth or jersey as a sling:
- Fold the cloth into a triangle.
- Place the arm across the chest with elbow bent.
- Support the arm with the cloth, tie the ends behind the neck.
- Ask the teacher to check the tie is not too tight.
When to go to the health unit or hospital
- Cannot move the injured limb or cannot put weight on it.
- Pain is very bad or getting worse.
- Numbness, tingling, or coldness in the foot or hand.
- Big swelling or the shape of the limb looks odd (may be a broken bone).
Prevention — how to avoid these injuries
- Always warm up before playing: run slowly, stretch legs and arms.
- Wear proper shoes and shin guards for football.
- Play on safe, even ground. Avoid holes and wet slippery spots.
- Follow the rules and listen to the teacher/coach.
- Rest when tired — do not keep playing with pain.
Short class activity (5 minutes)
Role play: In pairs, one student pretends to sprain an ankle. The other practices: 1) telling the teacher, 2) helping the friend sit, 3) lifting the foot, 4) placing an ice pack (or wrapped water bottle).
Quick quiz (answers at the end)
- What does RICE stand for?
- Name two signs of a closed wound.
- When should you go to the health unit?
Answers
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (and see a Doctor if needed).
- Swelling, bruise or pain under the skin (no open cut).
- If you cannot move the part, pain is very bad, numbness, or limb looks odd.
Remember: Always tell a grown-up — teacher, coach or parent — and never try to “fix” a bad injury by yourself. Good first aid helps your friend and may keep the injury from getting worse.
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