Process template: Acute injury and POLICE protocol
Step by step in first minutes and hours
Use this process template when a member sustains an acute muscle or joint injury during training (for example a sprain or strain), and you need to act methodically in the first minutes and hours.
§Step 1: Protection (protect)
- 01Stop the activity immediately and remove load from the injured area.
- 02Assess whether the person can walk/move themselves or whether help/support is necessary.
- 03Protect if necessary with relief (e.g. help to get to a quiet place).
§Step 2: Optimal Loading (adapted load)
- 01Avoid complete immobility if pain allows.
- 02Let the person move lightly and painlessly within their own limit.
- 03Do not push through pain—'adapted' not 'hard.'
§Step 3-5: Ice Compression Elevation
- 01Ice: cool the area in short periods, not directly on the skin.
- 02Compression: apply a light non-tight bandage/compression if relevant.
- 03Elevation: keep the body part elevated if practically possible.
§Step 6: Assess severity and refer
- 01Kraftig hævelse, synlig fejlstilling eller manglende evne til at belaste = kontakt læge/skadestue.
- 02Vedvarende eller tiltagende smerte over de næste døgn = henvis til fysioterapeut eller læge.
- 03Document the incident in the centre's damage journal/logbook.