Concussion Information and Protocol

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

• What is a concussion?

  A concussion is a brain injury that:

  • Is caused by a blow to the head or body, from contact with another player, hitting a hard surface such as the ground, ice or floor, or being hit by a piece of equipment.
  • Can change the way your brain normally works.
  • Can range from mild to severe.
  • Presents itself differently for each athlete.
  • Can occur during practice or competition in ANY sport.
  • Can happen even if you do not lose consciousness.

• What are the symptoms of a concussion?

  You can’t see a concussion, but you might notice some of the symptoms right away. Other symptoms can show up hours or days after the injury.

  Concussion symptoms include:

  • Amnesia
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Double or fuzzy vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Nausea (feeling that you might vomit)
  • Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy
  • Feeling unusually irritable
  • Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays, facts, meeting times)
  • Slowed reaction time

  Exercise or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to reappear or get worse.

• How can I prevent a concussion?

  Basic steps you can take to protect yourself from concussion:

  • Do not initiate contact with your head or helmet. You can still get a concussion if you are wearing a helmet.
  • Avoid striking an opponent in the head. Undercutting, flying elbows, stepping on a head, checking an unprotected opponent, and sticks to the head all cause concussions.
  • Follow your athletics department’s rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
  • Practice good sportsmanship at all times.
  • Practice and perfect the skills of the sport.

• What should I do if I think I have a concussion?

  • Don’t hide it. Tell your athletic trainer, coach, and parents. Never ignore a blow to the head. Also, tell your athletic trainer and coach if one of your teammates might have a concussion. Sports have injury timeouts and player substitutions so that you can get checked out.
  • Report it. Do not return to participation in a game, practice or other activity with symptoms. The sooner you get checked out, the sooner you may be able to return to play.
  • Get checked out. Your physician, athletic trainer, or health care professional can tell you if you have had a concussion and when you are cleared to return to play. A concussion can affect your ability to perform everyday activities, your reaction time, balance, sleep, and classroom performance.
  • Take time to recover. If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a repeat concussion. In rare cases, repeat concussions can cause permanent brain damage, and even death. Severe brain injury can change your whole life.

• Return to Play Protocol

  • Day 1: 15 minutes of light cardio: jogging, stationary bike, etc.
  • Day 2: 15-20 minutes of sport specific drills without contact.
  • Day 3: Practice normal sport specific drills with light contact.
  • After the 3rd day, if the athlete has no recurring signs and symptoms of a concussion, they are cleared to return to full play/practice on the 4th day.

• Resources

  Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
  
  New York State Education Department

   

  New York State Department of Health