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Concussions in sport - we all have a role to play
2017-12-10
Hi OCMHA Coaches, Trainers and Parents,
All of us have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids when they are playing sports. While the OCMHA takes every precaution to prevent concussions from occurring in the first place, it is important that everyone involved in hockey understands what to do in the event of a suspected concussion. Whether you are a trainer, coach or parent, you have a role to play.
Although our team trainers are watching for possible head injuries and have a protocol to follow when one occurs, they can’t see everything that happens on the ice. If you, as a coach or parent, see a play in which a child sustains a jarring impact, please bring it the attention of the trainer as soon as possible.
If a child sustains a suspected head injury, they are to be removed from the game immediately and they may not return to play until they have been medically assessed and cleared for activity.
Visible signs of a possible concussion include:
No matter what your involvement in hockey, we are counting on you to help keep all of our kids safe. With all head injuries, the guiding principle is always better safe than sorry. If you see something that concerns you, say something immediately. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, get them medically assessed.
While we don’t know everything about the consequences of head injuries, we do know that we don’t want to take chances with them. Thanks to all for taking this issue seriously and have a safe and happy holidays!
OCMHA Risk & Safety
All of us have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids when they are playing sports. While the OCMHA takes every precaution to prevent concussions from occurring in the first place, it is important that everyone involved in hockey understands what to do in the event of a suspected concussion. Whether you are a trainer, coach or parent, you have a role to play.
Although our team trainers are watching for possible head injuries and have a protocol to follow when one occurs, they can’t see everything that happens on the ice. If you, as a coach or parent, see a play in which a child sustains a jarring impact, please bring it the attention of the trainer as soon as possible.
If a child sustains a suspected head injury, they are to be removed from the game immediately and they may not return to play until they have been medically assessed and cleared for activity.
Visible signs of a possible concussion include:
- Lying motionless on the ice
- Slow to get up after a head impact
- Disorientation or confusion
- Balance or gait difficulties
- Facial injury after impact
- Headache or pressure in head
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Fatigue or low energy
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- More emotional or irritable
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Feeling slow or in a fog
No matter what your involvement in hockey, we are counting on you to help keep all of our kids safe. With all head injuries, the guiding principle is always better safe than sorry. If you see something that concerns you, say something immediately. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, get them medically assessed.
While we don’t know everything about the consequences of head injuries, we do know that we don’t want to take chances with them. Thanks to all for taking this issue seriously and have a safe and happy holidays!
OCMHA Risk & Safety