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NCCP Concussions - Make Head Way in Sport

Source: My personal notes from NCCP Concussion training

Introduction

Section titled “Introduction”

I’m not invincible! Katherine’s concussion story - YouTube

About a life example of a concussion, its effects, and recovery time.

Concussion Information

Section titled “Concussion Information”

Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Section titled “Ministry of Health and Long Term Care”

Assessment Tools

Section titled “Assessment Tools”

Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT)

Prevention

Section titled “Prevention”

  • Check environments for dangers, identify hazards and fix them.

    • Use checklists
    • Walk around, check equipment
    • Inform athletes of safety information

  • Proper equipment usage and safe usage

    • Check equipment for problems and breakage
    • Ensure athletes do not misuse equipment

  • Teach proper technique

    • How to prevent injuries is known to athletes

  • Activity Selection: Set up drills and position sport area to avoid injuries

    • Pairing like sized individuals for exercises
    • Slowing pace or number of exercises
    • Instruct communication of team in potentially dangerous situations
    • Consider:
      • Athlete size and strength
      • Athlete fatigue and skill levels
      • Timing
      • Pace
      • Placement of equipment
      • Proximity to other stations, walls, etc.
      • Manage errors / loose equipment
      • Coach’s position

  • Respect and Rules

  • Education

    • Sharing concussion and safety materials to athletes, parents, and team supporters.

Suspect and Act

Section titled “Suspect and Act”
  • Call 911 if you suspect a concussion based on symptoms - see pocket guide (e.g. confusion, vomiting, loss of consciousness, persistent headache, amnesia, neck pain/problems, balance, orientation, odd behaviour, etc.)
  • Educate athletes, parents, and team supporters about concussions in beginning of season or during the relevant practice
  • Question athletes about their orientation
  • Use pocket guide tools to check athlete’s symptoms
  • Monitor athlete in the coming days
  • If concussion is suspected, tell athlete to get a clearance letter from a physician, preferably one with concussion management - find one at Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Returning to Play

Section titled “Returning to Play”
  • Athletes should never to practice/plan before a physician clears them
  • See return to play guidelines
  • Ask questions to see doctor and track their status
  • CAT scans and MRI only check structural injuries to brain, but concussions are at the cellular level and may not have an structural damages seen in CT scans and MRIs.
  • For Adults, 6 step process may take 1 week or more. For Children and adolescents, take 2 or more weeks.
    • Each should take at least 24 hours.
    • The last does involve a practice with contact (or where it can occur). This last step must be done to ensure athlete is 100% recovered for a competition, etc.

Return to Play

Section titled “Return to Play”

Are your athletes at risk? - “Return to Play: Brain Injury 101”

Need to balance appropriate caution so as not to discourage athlete with health of athletes in case of a serious injury

Start at section 6:00 minutes