Martial Arts Training and First Aid Recommendations

Regarding Infectious Diseases (particularly HIV and Hepatitis B)

Minimising The Risk Of Transmission

Sports Medicine Australia strongly recommends the following procedures for the following persons involved in contact sports – Coaches, Instructors, Referees, Players and Families.

A number of blood-borne infectious diseases can be transmitted during body contact and collision sports. The more serious include VIRAL HEPATITIS and HIV (AIDS) infections. These diseases may be spread by direct contact between broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth) and infected blood and other body fluids and substances. There is no current evidence that sweat, urine, or tears will transmit these infective viruses.

To put into context though, only 2 cases have been recorded internationally of HIV transmission through sport. One was actually a fist fight and the other was a head clash during a game of soccer. . It is important to remember that there are many more common diseases, such as the ‘common cold’, flu and herpes simplex which can be easily spread during contact sports.

It is every participant’s responsibility to maintain strict personal hygiene at all times, in al activities on and off the field, as this is an effective method of controlling the spread of disease.

It is strongly recommended that participants involved in contact sport (i.e. Sparring) should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

All participants with prior evidence of these diseases are strongly advised to obtain confidential advice and clearance from a doctor prior to participation.

Those attending to bleeding players should wear disposable latex gloves. These should be worn when: direct contact is anticipated with blood or body substances, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin, as when attending to first aid of a bleeding player or handling items or contact surfaces contaminated with blood or body substances. Gloves should then be disposed and hands thoroughly washed.

Disposable resuscitation devices should be available and accessible. They should be used for anyone requiring CPR.

Skin lesions should be immediately reported, cleansed and securely covered. If a bleeding wound occurs, then the players’ participation must be interrupted until the bleeding is stopped and the wound attended to.

If skin is broken, immediate first aid is to clean the wound with soap and water only. If water is unavailable then a 70% alcohol rub should be used.

If clothes are bloodstained, they should be changed for clean ones and appropriately handled once the wound is treated.

If eyes are contaminated, rinse gently and thoroughly with eyes open (and contacts left in if applicable) with water or normal saline.

If blood enters the mouth, spit it out and rinse the mouth with water several times.