Blog: Order On The Court — Avoid injury but prepare for emergencies

Having a small kit for on court repairs is good first aid

This week’s week’s column is going to hurt to read — a little. So turn away now if you get woozy at the sight of a blood. 

With bone fractures related to pickleball increasing by 200% over the last 20 years, you knew I was going to have to address the inconvenient truth of growing injuries related to pickleball, sooner or later.

I was a Boy Scout growing up and our “Always Be Prepared” motto, for any emergency, was my mantra from ages 9 to 13. I carried around a compass, a small folding knife, a whistle, an old zippo lighter, and flashlight in a small pouch whenever I went down to the Scarborough Bluffs for a hike.

I didn’t happen upon any wild animals, but I did almost lose my eyesight temporarily, when walked up a steep embankment,  and came upon a woman tanning in the buff — on the bluffs - so to speak.

So, I was prepared for almost any type of emergency.

Later on, a small portable first aid kit, bursting with extra bandages, first aid tape, gauze, and especially handy, a small gravel brush, proved invaluable on a motorcyle ride to Manitoulin Island. I was on my Gold Wing and a rider ahead of me caught a wheel in deep sand and fell onto a patch small gravel, wearing a t-shirt.

Many kms away from Emergency. I used the brush to gently scrape away debris from the shoulder wound — yes, it hurts as much as it sounds, before sterilizing and bandaging up the grateful rider.

Since then, I’ve always had a small kit, and St. John’s First Aid and CPR training wherever I go. 

Which brings me back to pickleball.

Last year, during the indoor court season, I made use of the kit four times to bandage up an elbow with a deep abrasion after a fall, two ankles, and a calf muscle, before applying ice. 

Accidents do happen on the court with common injuries including ankle and shoulder sprains caused by over stretched ligament, micro tears, Achilles tendon, shoulder dislocation, knee injuries, rotator cuff injuries along with bumps and contusion.

At the start of each lesson series, I start by discussing safe court etiquette and avoiding common injuries by warming up, stretching first. We always warm up as a class first.

Running backwards to retrieve a lob shot is an easy way to have a bad fall. The correct way is using a deliberate side step and not adding to the court chaos with a mad, backward dash to the ball.

We’ve all been hit by the ball, and occasionally by an errand paddle. “Yours!, Mine!” helps on close shots down the middle of the court. 

I’ve been fortunate, touch on wood. My injuries have been limited to a bruised fingernail from a nice hard rap from my partner’s paddle when I poached an overhead. I don’t count the occasional skin abrasion from a fall or two diving for the ball.

I love the comment from a court monitor when on a full speed run to retrieve a hard drive to the corner, I stumbled and almost did a complete cartwheel. 

“Nice effort!” was the response, to a few paddle slaps of appreciation from amused onlookers.

Lastly, before I finish this week’s blog on injuries, how many of you have ever had an injury on the court requiring a bit of first aid? Counting the show of hands from the majority of my blog readers. 

Next, how many of you now have a couple of bandages, some alcohol pads and a stretch wrapping for a foot sprain in your bag in preparation for the next court injury.  Put your hands up.

Hmm, that few? Two?!!

Here’s a suggestion. Put a couple in your bag now, before you forget. Believe me, there will come a time, when you’re glad you did. 

Be safe. It’s chaos out there. And see you on the courts.