SPORTS INJURIES PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SIDELINE DIAGNOSIS: Johnny Wattersonon an invaluable handbook for watchers or mentors alike on what to do - or not do - if a player is hurt

OCCASIONALLY YOU come across a book that when you read it, you wonder why it took so long to arrive. John O’Byrne, a professor of orthopaedic surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons, and Brian McDevitt, also an orthopaedic surgeon, have produced a tome designed for the parent, the coach, the referee, the school prefect, the casual fan and the leisure centre manager.

It’s about what can happen to a child or adult during sport and what you can do, or, not do.

It's not a First Aid book. It's not a self-help book. It's not a medical text book. Sports Emergencies: Management Scenariosis for you and me at the side of a pitch watching rugby, football or hockey and what we might do if a player goes down and there is no medical help available.

“We’ve flagged things like when do you need to worry or not worry. It’s very important to know. You are on the pitch side and you want to know is this serious or is this not serious?” says Prof O’Byrne.

“Our motive for the book is not to make money but that we thought it was a good idea. We’ve tried to present some of the injuries the way they would present if a player said them such as ‘I have a pain in my chest, I was not hit’ or ‘I can’t breathe, I have a chest pain, I was hit’. Then you can figure it out from there.

Aside from the two editors, who are involved with the FAI and IRFU, many of the contributors are associated with sport.

Two time All-Ireland medal winner Gerry McEntee writes on abdominal injuries, while Dr Pat O’Neill who won All-Ireland medals as both player and manager also contributes. European silver medallist Gary O’Toole also gives instruction on preventing drowning and dealing with water sport injuries.

Several of the contributors were involved in the emergency treatment of Republic of Ireland player Shane Duffy, who ruptured the main artery to his liver during a training session last May. Swift attention and surgery saved the player’s life.

“The book is designed to help people with no medical training. Someone gets a head injury, are they concussed. These are questions you need to ask. I wanted the book small so it would fit into a kit bag easily and I wanted the cover to be durable so it can be thrown on top of jerseys or into a car boot.

“The idea came from Colgate when they brought out instructions on what to do if a tooth is knocked out. It was one page. Very simple. I said that’s what we needed. There are dozens of books for first aid but none specific to sports.”

A strong feature of the book is the colour coding. The red zone, amber zone and green zone levels of severity for a whole array of injuries indicate at a glance whether the player needs a plaster and can continue on or should seek immediate attention in a hospital.

“We’ve tried to give clear instruction on what to do in the instance of horrendous, catastrophic events like severe neck injury or sudden collapse, those things that can happen out of the blue at an ordinary sporting event. Most people are afraid to do anything although they are incredibly well motivated,” adds Prof Byrne.

The book is being launched tonight at RCSI in Dublin and is a must for every car boot at the side of every pitch or pool.