Medical

Primary care sports medicine services will be provided to competitors at the competition venues and other official 2008 PSG activities by trained, qualified Sports Medicine Australia – ACT (SMA-ACT) Sports Trainers. All SMA-ACT Sports Trainers have a current CPR qualification and are trained to manage first aid emergencies and prevent further injury.

It is important to note that competitors must be accompanied by an adult (parent, team official or 2008 PSG accredited official) in order to receive sports medicine treatment.

Sports Trainers will also offer a preventative taping service, however competitors will be required to supply their own strapping tape. Please note that injury treatment will take priority over preventative taping.

Ice for injury treatment will be available from the Sports Medicine treatment area at each competition venue.

Qualified Sports Trainers will also be in attendance at all 2008 PSG events and functions to provide primary care to spectators and members of the public.

Other Medical Services

Australia has a very high standard of medical care. Canberra has two major hospitals. Calvary Hospital is situated less than five kilometres from each of the 2008 PSG competition venues.

Contact information for a variety of medical services including hospitals, health advice, medical centres, sports physicians, physiotherapists and dentists will be provided to visitors in the Sport Programs, Team Officials Handbook and 2008 PSG Games Guide.

Medical Expenses

While care provided by Sports Medicine Australia Sports Trainers at the sports venues is a service provided by the 2008 PSG, if competitors need or seek further treatment from other public or private medical service providers, it will be at their cost.

 

As medical treatment in Australia can be quite expensive, it is strongly recommended that all international teams ensure that all team members are covered by travel insurance. This should include cover to meet any expenses that may be incurred due to illness or injury.

Massage Therapy

Under the supervision of qualified instructors, students studying a Diploma of Remedial Massage at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will be offering 2008 PSG participants complementary 10-20 minute massage therapy sessions. Prior to competition, massage therapy can offer benefits such as increased circulation and flexibility, while post competition it can aid in recovery.  

To receive a complementary massage therapy session, 2008 PSG competitors must be accompanied by an adult (parent or team official) and should look out for the CIT massage area located at each of the 2008 PSG competition venues.

SunSmart Guidelines

During the 2008 Pacific School Games all competitors, team officials, volunteers and spectators should be SunSmart and follow the 5 sun protection measures. They are: 

Shirt   Slip on some sun-protective clothing - that covers as much skin as possible

Sunscreen   Slop on SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen

Hat   Slap on a hat - that protects your face, head, neck and ears

Sunglasses   Slide on some sunglasses - that meet AS1067

Shade   Seek shade

Prevent Dehydration

Water is essential for numerous functions in the body.  When the body's fluid levels become depleted through increased sweating and/or inadequate fluid intake, dehydration can occur.

For most of us, being aware and prepared is the easiest way to prevent dehydration from occurring. On hot humid days, an active person can become dehydrated in just 15 minutes. It is very important that all 2008 PSG competitors drink plenty of fluids to replenish the fluid lost during training and competition. When competitors are going to be outside on a warm day, it is also important that they dress appropriately for their activity.  Ideally, competitors should wear loose-fitting clothes and a hat to keep them cool and reduce sweating.

Early signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

  • Dry or sticky mouth
  • Thirst
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Cramps
  • Excessive fatigue

If competitors experience any of the symptoms above, they should take a break for a few minutes and rest in a cool area. Competitors should then drink fluids to replenish the fluid lost.

 

All 2008 PSG competitors, team officials and volunteers will be provided with a 2008 PSG water bottle in their Welcome Pack.

Water stations will be located at all competition venues, for competitors, team officials and volunteers to fill up their water bottles.

Canberra tap water is safe to drink and is of a very high quality.

Doping Control

The 2008 PSG condemns the use of prohibited substances and methods in sport. The use of prohibited substances and methods is contrary to the ethics of sport and potentially harmful to the health of students competing in the 2008 PSG and all sports people.

Should the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) attend the 2008 PSG to conduct doping control (drug testing), the 2008 PSG Management will work with them to facilitate this testing.

The 2008 PSG Management has identified a suitable facility at each competition venue in which the doping control may be conducted. Please ensure that competitors understand the doping control procedures and that a team official attends this process with them.

 

Last updated on: 26 October 2008