CONCUSSION AWARENESS
The Thunder Bay Queens and Thunder Bay Women's Hockey Association recognizes the importance of concussion safety in sports. The Executive is committed to ensuring that all families understand concussions and their effects.
To help our members stay informed, below are several resources pertaining to Concussion Awareness for reference. If you have questions about the Thunder Bay Queen's commitment to player safety, please contact us using the information below.
CONCUSSION LAWS BECAME MANDATORY IN ONTARIO IN 2018.
THE FOLLOWING OUTLINES CONCUSSION AWARENESS AND THE THUNDER BAY QUEEN’S CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL.
CONCUSSION CODE OF CONDUCT AND MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Concussion safety legislation requires every player, and all rostered bench staff, to review the Concussion Code of Conduct on an annual basis and sign and submit the OWHA Rowan's Law Acknowledgement.
OWHA participants, parents and guardians of athletes who are under 18 years of age, coaches, trainers, officials, bench staff, and all named-insured individuals are required to make an annual electronic commitment and acknowledgement at the time of registration with the OWHA
CONCUSSION AWARENESS & ACTIONS - WHAT IS IT?
A concussion is a head impact by either a direct blow or indirect transmission of force can be associated with a serious and potentially fatal brain injury.
If there are significant concerns, including any of the red flags listed below, then activation of emergency procedures and urgent transport to the nearest hospital should be arranged.
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision
- Severe or increasing headache
- Vomiting
- Seizure or convulsion
- Loss of consciousness
- Deteriorating conscious state
- Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
- Weakness or tingling/ burning in arms or legs
CONCUSSION AWARENESS & ACTIONS - WHAT TO DO
EVIDENCE OF 1 SYMPTOM MEANS PLAYER MUST STOP PLAYING RIGHT AWAY
- The player should not be left alone and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible that day
- If a player is knocked out, call an ambulance to take them to a hospital immediately
- Do not move the player or remove athletic equipment like a helmet as there may also be a cervical spine injury; wait for paramedics to arrive
- If no symptoms, use the facts of the situation to assess the situation (player to sit a shift or two and reassess symptoms after adrenalin starts to wear off)
- Trainer has final decision on return to play that day
A PLAYER WITH A SUSPECTED CONCUSSION MUST NOT RETURN TO PLAY THAT DAY, EVEN IF THEY REPORT THEY ARE FEELING BETTER
- Problems caused by a head injury can get worse later that day or night (especially in children and adolescents) and can take up to 48 to 72 hours to show up
- Player cannot return to sports and begin the “6 Step Return to Play” until she has been cleared by a Medical Professional
6 STEP RETURN TO PLAY PROCESS
| STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
| Step 1 |
Limited activity; mental/physical rest
- Proceed to step 2 with Medical Professional’s clearance
|
| Step 2 |
Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling; monitor for symptoms/signs. (No resistance training / weight lifting, dryland) |
| Step 3 |
Sport specific activities and training (e.g., light skating) |
| Step 4 |
Practice; drills without body contact / battles; may add light resistance training and progress to heavier weights (e.g., dryland, pucks, and heavier skating)
- The time needed to progress from non-contact to contact exercise will vary with the severity of the concussion / injury and the player
|
| Step 5 |
Begin drills with body contact (e.g., Battle on Boards, etc.) |
| Step 6 |
Game play!
- The earliest a concussed athlete should return to play is approximately one to two weeks if it’s a first concussion
|
Note: Players should proceed through return to play steps only when they do not experience symptoms or signs and a Medical Professional has given clearance. Players should repeat the Post Injury Assessment on the EQ App regularly during each step. Each step should be a minimum of at least 1 day, usually 2-3 days.
If symptoms or signs return, the player should return to the previous step, and be re-evaluated by a medical professional.
RETURN TO PLAY APPLIES TO ALL INJURIES, NOT JUST CONCUSSIONS!
WEBSITES
For more information, questions, or comments, please contact:
Liesa Wynn | Queens Registrar | [email protected]