First Aid and Accident Reporting

St Martins Karate Carnforth first aid and accident reporting procedures explain how injuries, incidents and accidents are managed and recorded.

Our approach

We aim to provide a safe training environment and to respond promptly and appropriately when someone is injured or becomes unwell.

Our arrangements are based on:

  • the ages and needs of the people attending;
  • the nature of karate training and related activities;
  • the size and location of each class;
  • the availability of emergency assistance;
  • relevant medical or additional-needs information provided to us;
  • previous accidents, incidents and identified risks.

First-aid arrangements are reviewed alongside the club’s risk assessments and safe-practice procedures.

First-aid provision

A suitably stocked first-aid kit will be available during club classes and activities.

The club will aim to ensure that an appropriately trained first aider is available whenever reasonably practicable. Other instructors or appointed persons may assist by:

  • obtaining the first-aid kit;
  • contacting emergency services;
  • managing the training area;
  • supervising other students;
  • contacting a parent, carer or emergency contact;
  • recording the incident.

A person should only provide first aid within the limits of their training and competence. HSE guidance distinguishes a trained first aider from an appointed person who manages arrangements and calls for assistance.

First-aid equipment

First-aid equipment will be selected according to the club’s first-aid needs assessment.

The kit may include items such as:

  • individually wrapped sterile plasters;
  • sterile wound dressings;
  • sterile eye pads;
  • triangular bandages;
  • disposable gloves;
  • cleansing wipes;
  • instant cold packs;
  • adhesive tape;
  • scissors;
  • resuscitation protection equipment;
  • basic first-aid guidance.

The kit will be checked regularly and used, damaged or expired items will be replaced. HSE guidance says kit contents should follow the needs assessment and be checked regularly, particularly for expiry dates.

Do not include medication, creams or tablets unless there is a specific lawful and risk-assessed arrangement for an individual.

First aid kit available for St Martins Junior Karate Club

Defibrillator

The nearest publicly accessible defibrillator is located at Carnforth Community Primary School and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Access information can be obtained through the emergency services by calling 999.

When activities take place at another venue, instructors should familiarise themselves with any defibrillator available there and how it can be accessed.

Defibrillator outside Slyne with Hest Memorial Hall

Medical information

Parents, carers and adult members should tell the club about relevant information that may affect safe participation or emergency treatment, including:

  • medical conditions;
  • allergies;
  • injuries;
  • disabilities or additional needs;
  • medication that may be required urgently;
  • any changes to information previously supplied.

Medical information will be handled carefully and shared only with people who reasonably need it for safety, first aid or emergency response.

Students should not attend or participate when illness, injury or medical advice makes training unsuitable.

Medication

The club does not routinely administer medication.

Where a student may require emergency medication, such as an inhaler or adrenaline auto-injector, the parent or carer should discuss this with the club in advance.

Any arrangement must be clear about:

  • what medication is required;
  • where it will be kept;
  • whether the student can administer it themselves;
  • what assistance instructors may provide;
  • when emergency services should be contacted;
  • how the medication will accompany the student at events or activities.

Medication should be clearly labelled, in date and supplied in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions.

When someone is injured or unwell

The response will depend on the circumstances, but may include:

  • stopping the activity;
  • making the area safe;
  • assessing the situation;
  • providing appropriate first aid;
  • contacting a parent, carer or emergency contact;
  • calling the emergency services;
  • arranging collection or recommending further medical assessment;
  • supervising the other students;
  • recording what happened.

The welfare of the injured or unwell person will take priority.

Emergencies

Call 999 when someone is seriously ill or injured, is in immediate danger, or requires urgent emergency assistance.

Examples may include:

  • unconsciousness or reduced responsiveness;
  • difficulty breathing; suspected severe allergic reaction;
  • seizure lasting longer than expected or repeated seizures;
  • serious bleeding;
  • suspected spinal, neck or serious head injury;
  • chest pain;
  • suspected fracture with serious symptoms;
  • severe burns;
  • signs of stroke;
  • any situation in which delaying emergency help could place someone at greater risk.

This list is not exhaustive. The person dealing with the incident should use their training and judgement and follow instructions from the emergency services.

Contacting parents and carers

For a child or young person, the club will normally contact a parent, carer or emergency contact when:

  • first aid has been provided beyond a very minor intervention;
  • the child is unable to continue training;
  • further observation or medical advice may be needed;
  • an injury involves the head, neck or face;
  • emergency services have been contacted;
  • collection is required;
  • the club considers that the parent or carer should be informed.

For minor incidents, information may be given when the child is collected.

Emergency treatment will not be delayed while attempting to contact a parent or carer.

Head injuries

All suspected head injuries will be treated seriously.

The student should stop training and be assessed. A parent or carer should be informed, and the student should not return to training that day where there are concerning symptoms or any doubt about their fitness to continue.

Emergency assistance should be sought for serious symptoms, deterioration, loss of consciousness or any other concern requiring urgent medical assessment.

The club does not diagnose concussion. Appropriate medical advice should be obtained before returning to karate following a suspected concussion or significant head injury.

Accident and incident records

The club will maintain an accident and incident record.

Depending on the circumstances, the record may include:

  • the name of the person involved;
  • the date, time and location;
  • what happened; the activity taking place;
  • the injury or illness observed; first aid provided;
  • who provided assistance;
  • whether a parent or carer was contacted;
  • whether emergency services attended; any witnesses;
  • follow-up action;
  • the name of the person completing the record.

Records should be factual, clear and completed as soon as reasonably possible.

Near misses

A near miss is an event that did not cause injury but could reasonably have done so.

Near misses should be reported to an instructor and recorded where they reveal a safety concern or lesson that could help prevent a future accident.

The club may respond by:

  • changing an activity;
  • repairing or removing equipment;
  • changing supervision;
  • updating a risk assessment;
  • providing further instruction;
  • reviewing venue arrangements.

Reviewing incidents

Accident, incident and near-miss records may be reviewed to identify:

  • repeated types of injury;
  • unsafe equipment or activities;
  • environmental hazards;
  • supervision concerns;
  • training needs;
  • changes needed to policies or risk assessments.

Serious or repeated incidents may be reviewed by the lead instructor and other appropriate club officers.

Safeguarding concerns

An accident or injury may sometimes raise a safeguarding concern.

Where this happens, the club will follow its safeguarding procedures as well as its first-aid arrangements.

Information should be passed to the club’s safeguarding leads where:

  • an explanation does not appear consistent with the injury;
  • there are signs of possible abuse or neglect;
  • the person makes a disclosure;
  • another person may have deliberately caused harm;
  • there is any other concern about someone’s welfare.

Concerns can also be submitted through the Report a Concern page.

Reporting to outside organisations

Some serious work-related incidents may need to be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, commonly known as RIDDOR.

Not every sporting injury or accident is reportable. A report is generally required only where the incident is work-related and meets the relevant reporting criteria. For a person who is not at work, this may include an injury caused by a work-related accident where they are taken directly from the scene to hospital for treatment.

Where necessary, the club will seek advice and cooperate with:

  • the venue; the club’s insurer;
  • its governing or membership body;
  • the local authority;
  • the Health and Safety Executive;
  • emergency services;
  • another relevant organisation.

Any required report should be made by the legally responsible person.

Information and confidentiality

Accident and medical information will be handled in accordance with the club’s Privacy Policy.

Information may be shared where reasonably necessary with:

  • first aiders and instructors;
  • parents, carers or emergency contacts;
  • healthcare professionals and emergency services;
  • safeguarding leads;
  • insurers;
  • venues;
  • governing or membership bodies;
  • legal or regulatory authorities.

Information will not be shared more widely than is reasonably necessary.

Responsibilities of members and families

Members, parents and carers should:

  • provide accurate emergency and medical information;
  • tell the club when that information changes;
  • ensure required medication is available and in date;
  • report injuries or illness before training begins;
  • follow safety instructions;
  • use the required protective equipment;
  • report accidents, damaged equipment and hazards promptly;
  • seek medical advice when appropriate.

Contact us

Questions about the club’s first-aid or accident-reporting arrangements can be submitted through our Contact page.

Immediate emergencies must not be reported through this website. Call 999.

Safeguarding concerns should be submitted through our Report a Concern page or dealt with through the club’s safeguarding procedures.

Last reviewed: 25 July 2026