Athletic, Camp & Outdoor First Aid Kits
From high-intensity fitness centers and martial arts dojos to remote summer camps and outdoor recreational venues, active environments present a unique set of safety challenges. When patrons and staff are engaging in physical activity, the risk of sprains, fractures, heat exhaustion, and sudden cardiac events increases significantly. Our athletic and outdoor first aid kits are built to the national CSA Z1220-17 standard, ensuring your facility or camp remains 100% compliant with provincial occupational health and safety regulations while keeping your guests safe.
While standard OHS laws focus on employee safety, athletic and outdoor venues require specialized gear to handle sports injuries and wilderness exposure. This means supplementing your legally mandated Type 2 or Type 3 kits with instant cold packs, athletic tape, AEDs, and mobility equipment.
Not sure what your sports facility or outdoor camp requires? Scroll down to our Athletic & Outdoor Compliance FAQ for guidance on remote wilderness camps, sports medicine add-ons, and portable counselor kits.
Requirement Matrix: Outfitting Your Venue
| Venue / Environment | 1 Worker (Solo/Mobile) | 2 – 25 Workers | 26 – 50 Workers | 51 – 100 Workers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyms & Indoor Sports Facilities | Type 1: Personal Kit | Type 2: Basic (Small) | Type 2: Basic (Medium) | Type 2: Basic (Large) |
| Remote Summer Camps & Wilderness | Type 1 (Portable/Fanny Pack) | Type 3: Interm. (Small) | Type 3: Interm. (Medium) | Type 3: Interm. (Large) |
| Sports Medicine & Rescue Add-Ons | Highly Recommended: AEDs, Instant Cold Packs, Splints, Stretchers, and Insect/Sun Exposure Care. | |||
*Note: While kit sizes are dictated by staff headcount, high-volume outdoor venues and camps should heavily size up their first aid inventory to account for the large number of active patrons or campers.
Athletic & Outdoor Compliance FAQ
What type of first aid kit is required for a gym or fitness center?
Indoor fitness centers and health clubs generally fall under low-to-moderate hazard classifications, requiring a Type 2 (Basic) CSA Z1220-17 Kit based on the number of staff per shift. However, due to the high likelihood of member injuries, gyms should supplement these kits with heavy stock of instant cold packs, athletic tape, and tensor bandages.
Are summer camps and outdoor venues considered high hazard?
Yes. Many outdoor recreation centers and summer camps are considered high hazard due to the physical nature of the activities (ropes courses, hiking, water sports) and their distance from emergency services. These locations typically require a Type 3 (Intermediate) Kit, which includes advanced trauma dressings and tourniquets.
Do camp counselors and trail guides need their own kits?
Yes. Staff members who guide groups away from the main facility (such as on hikes or canoe trips) are required to carry a portable Type 1 (Personal) Kit. Many camps utilize fanny packs or lightweight nylon trauma bags for these mobile kits, supplemented with whistles, emergency blankets, and insect sting relief.
Are AEDs mandatory for athletic clubs and sports venues?
Given the intense physical exertion at athletic venues, sudden cardiac arrest is a major risk. While occupational health and safety laws focus on basic first aid, many provinces and municipal bylaws now mandate that fitness centers, arenas, and public pools have an AED (Defibrillator) visibly mounted and accessible.
Do remote outdoor venues need a stretcher or spine board?
If your camp or outdoor venue is located more than 20 to 30 minutes away from professional medical services, provincial regulations generally classify it as a distant or isolated workplace. In these cases, you are legally required to have emergency transport equipment on site, such as a spine board, basket stretcher, and thermal blankets.
What extra supplies should a sports facility keep in stock?
Standard OHS kits are designed for workplace cuts and burns. Sports venues should build out a "sports medicine" station featuring instant cold packs (crucial for rapid swelling reduction), blister care, cohesive bandages, splints, and eye wash solution for turf or dirt debris.