When Emergency Strikes

Ever since Danish national player Christian Eriksen collapsed from cardiac arrest during the 2021 European Football Championship, one thing has been clear: first aid saves lives. Fortunately, life-threatening incidents during sports are rare. But injuries do happen—two players clash heads while going for a header, a knee twists awkwardly during a dribble, or a hockey stick accidentally strikes a player instead of the puck—it’s all part of the game. And even if it doesn’t happen to you, it could happen to a teammate. 

The importance of first aid knowledge and proper equipment becomes obvious in an emergency situation. Whether your club is truly prepared for such moments isn’t a matter of chance—it’s the result of planning. We all feel more secure knowing that trained individuals are present, that an emergency kit is on hand, and that everyone knows where to find the defibrillator. While basic first aid knowledge isn’t mandatory, it creates confidence and builds trust. We'll show you how to approach the topic of first aid in your sports club the right way—and what to pay attention to.

Legal Foundations

First things first: First aid is not optional. Everyone is legally obligated to provide assistance—including within sports clubs. This is stipulated in Section 323c of the German Criminal Code (StGB). In simple terms: anyone who fails to help in an emergency can be prosecuted (unless providing help would be too dangerous). It doesn’t matter whether you’re a certified first responder or completely inexperienced. That’s why it’s all the more important to raise awareness of the topic among yourself and your club members. A solid—and above all, well-communicated—first aid concept within the club makes a lot of sense. 

In Germany, clubs are not legally required to have a designated first responder—unlike businesses. However, anyone wishing to obtain a coaching license must complete a first aid course that is no older than two years at the time of certification. Even though it’s not mandatory, we strongly recommend regular refreshers of first aid training—especially for those responsible for an entire team. Coaches working with children, in particular, bear a special duty of care. When it comes to children and youth, the responsibility clearly lies with the club and those in charge—including for first aid. 

Liability concerns are generally secondary, because anyone who provides first aid is legally protected—even if they make mistakes, whether trained or not. In an emergency, doing something wrong is better than doing nothing at all. If help is withheld, the club may ultimately be held liable, since the club’s board is responsible for ensuring safety. And this responsibility doesn’t just apply to members, but also to guests at club events. Whether it’s a tournament, Christmas party, or open house: your club should always be prepared for injuries and have designated first aiders on hand.

First Aid Basics for Every Sports Club

Establishing a solid first aid concept in a sports club isn’t difficult. Here are the essential basics that every club should have in place: 

• First Aid Kit for Sports Clubs: Whether it’s football, hockey, or archery—every team and every athlete needs a first aid kit that is easily accessible at all times. Important: check the contents regularly! Our checklist outlines what should be included in your kit. 
• Emergency Plan: A clear emergency plan creates confidence in crisis situations. It should outline who calls the emergency services, who guides them in, and where the nearest defibrillator is located. Also include the location of the first aid kit, a site map of the facility, and the entrance for emergency vehicles. 
• Emergency Numbers: A laminated list of important contacts—such as emergency numbers and key club contacts—can be quickly prepared and ideally posted in several places: at the field, in the gym, and in the clubhouse. The emergency app “nora” also allows users to make an emergency call without speaking—especially important for people with hearing or speech impairments. Our checklist shows which numbers should be on the list. 
• First Aid Training: Coaches, trainers, and team supervisors should regularly refresh their first aid training—and those without licenses should definitely take a course. Many organizations offer first aid courses specifically for sports. Our tip: it’s more fun when multiple people join together! Offer regular training opportunities—and ideally, motivate players to participate too. 
• AED (Defibrillator): A defibrillator can save lives—especially in the event of cardiac arrest. Anyone who might need it must know how it works and where it’s located. That’s why every club member should be familiar with how simple and intuitive an AED is to use. Defibrillator training is also included in most first aid courses. For beginners, we recommend the explanatory video by Johanniter—it shows just how easy it is and helps overcome fear of using the device. 
• First Aid Cabinet: Depending on the size of the club, you should have at least one small first aid cabinet—and clearly communicate where it can be accessed in an emergency. There are no strict regulations about what materials a club must have, but the following guidelines are recommended: 
• Up to 50 people: small first aid cabinet according to DIN 13157 
• 51 to 300 people: large first aid cabinet according to DIN 13169 
• For every additional 300 people: one more large cabinet (DIN 13169), preferably stored in a different location than the others 
• Sports clubs with large facilities or multiple sports disciplines should always have at least one large cabinet (DIN 13169), regardless of the number of members.

Immediate Measures for Sports Injuries

A sudden muscle cramp during a sprint, a twisted ankle in a tackle—many athletes have experienced it themselves. Here’s a quick overview of what to do as first aid in case of sports injuries or accidents such as ligament tears, fractures, or unconsciousness: 

• Bruise, sprain, strain, or torn ligament: Follow the RICE rule (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) 
• Bleeding wound: Cover the wound, apply a pressure bandage, use a plaster if necessary 
• Fracture or suspected fracture: Immobilize, cool, do not move the affected area 
• Unconsciousness or circulatory collapse: Check breathing and tongue, place the person in the recovery position, call emergency services (112) 
• Cardiac arrest: Call 112, begin CPR, use an AED until paramedics arrive

First Aid Training in Sports Clubs

As mentioned earlier: There is no legal requirement for coaches or trainers to refresh their first aid training. However, the German Red Cross recommends that first aiders take a refresher course at least every two years. Many regional sports federations also offer guidelines and recommendations—just check the website of your state’s sports association.

Whether it’s the German Red Cross, Johanniter, or Malteser: several organizations offer dedicated first aid courses tailored specifically for sports clubs, targeting athletes, coaches, trainers, and team supervisors. You can find course information and upcoming dates near you, for example, on the German Red Cross website. 

Who covers the cost? This is, of course, a key question for any club. Will your club cover the participation fees for volunteers, or is it considered a personal expense? In many cases, funding is available through the regional sports federation or the accident insurance fund your club belongs to. It's worth asking to secure potential financial support for your members. 

In our free webinars for sports clubs, “Die Vereinsstrategen” regularly share expert advice on practical topics that matter to clubs. You can exchange insights directly with experts and other club members—and soon, first aid will surely be on the agenda. Here’s where you can find our webinars.

Practical Tips

First aid in a sports club is straightforward—as long as you know what to do. Here’s a quick summary of our top tips to help you prepare your club for emergencies. More details can be found in our downloadable First Aid Checklist at the end of the article. 

• Post emergency numbers and instructions visibly throughout club facilities 
•  Organize first aid courses for coaches and instructors 
• Make sure all members know where the first aid kit and AED (defibrillator) are located (if you have one—we highly recommend it!) 
• Equip every team with its own first aid kit 
• Regularly check the contents of all first aid sets! Our tip: assign one responsible person for this. 
• Use a first aid app on your phone—it can guide you step by step during an emergency (e.g., the DRK app) 
• Psychological support after emergencies: A serious accident happened to one of your members? Don’t forget to emotionally support the affected person—and possibly their team—after a critical incident. Conversations, visits, small gestures: continuing to stand by them as a club shows true community spirit.

Conclusion

First aid is not optional—it’s a hallmark of a well-organized and responsible sports club. A club that is well-prepared can act quickly and demonstrates genuine care for its members. Once your first aid preparations are in place, you can shift your full focus back to sports. 

By the way: nothing strengthens team spirit like a shared club shirt or jersey. With our jersey configurator, you can easily design a unique shirt or jersey for all your members—quickly, creatively, and intuitively. 

To make sure you don’t forget anything in your first aid planning, check out our compact First Aid Checklist for Sports Clubs, which includes a downloadable PDF with an emergency action plan, contact information sheet, and AED guidance.