Below you’ll find important documents, and resources regarding concussion that are relevant to athletes, coaches, parents, officials, and other affiliates. Please make sure you are aware, understand everything below. Never hesitate to reach out to the Medical and Health committee should you have any questions.
DOWNLOADS
Code of Conduct – Athlete: All athletes must sign this form upon membership registration on an annual basis
Code of Conduct – Coach: All coaches, and officials must sign this form upon membership registration on an annual basis
INFOGRAPHICS
Please post in your club training space, and share with your members!
CONCUSSION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
CONCUSSION IN SPORT
A concussion is a brain injury. A concussion most often occurs without loss of consciousness. However, a concussion may involve loss of consciousness. However, a concussion may involve loss of consciousness. If you suspect of having a concussion, please notify your local health care provider, right away—don’t wait.
HOW CONCUSSIONS HAPPEN
Any impact to the head, face or neck or a blow to the body which causes a sudden jolting of the head and moving of the brain inside the skull and may cause a concussion.
There are three(3) age variations of the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources
COMMON SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF A CONCUSSION
Symptoms and signs may have a delayed onset (may be worse later that day or even the next morning). Thus it’s important not dismiss a suspected concussion so promptly.
*An athlete may show any one or more of these symptoms or signs:
Symptoms
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Headache
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Neck pain
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Dizziness
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Feeling dazed
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Seeing stars
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Sensitivity to light/noise
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Ringing in ears
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Tiredness
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Nausea, vomiting
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Irritability
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Confusion, disorientation
Signs
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Poor balance or coordination
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Slow or slurred speech
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Poor concentration
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Delayed responses to questions
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Vacant stare
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Decreased playing ability
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Unusual emotions, personality change, and inappropriate behaviour
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Sleep disturbance
RED FLAGS – If any of the following are observed or complaints reported following an injury, the player should be removed from play safely and immediately and your Emergency Action Plan initiated. Immediate assessment by a physician is required.
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Neck pain or tenderness
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Severe or increasing headache
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Deteriorating conscious state
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Double vision
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Seizure or convulsion
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Vomiting
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Loss of consciousness
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Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
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Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
For more resources and information about concussion visit the Ontario Rowan’s Law Resource Page and Parachute Canada Resource Page.
CONCUSSION – KEY STEPS
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Recognize and remove the player from the current match or practice.
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Do not leave the player alone, monitor symptoms and signs.
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Do not administer medication (Advil included!).
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Inform the coach and parent/guardian about the injury.
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The player should be evaluated by the medical personnel on the scene and medical doctor as soon as possible.
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The player must not return to play in that match or practice, and must follow the Ontario Fencing Concussion Protocol and receive medical clearance by a physician.
ONTARIO FENCING CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
Returning to play in fencing is gradual, and the protocol is terminated after the family physician has given the fencer clearance to return to activity in writing using this form. If any symptoms/signs return during this process, the player must be re-evaluated by their physician.
IMPORTANT — THE REHAB PLAN OF CARE FOR CONCUSSED ATHLETES MUST BE DEVELOPED BY A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH TRAINING IN CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT. Athletes should present the 6-Step Fencing Sport-Specific Return To Play Table to their healthcare professional to incorporate into the athlete’s rehab plan.
DO NOT DELAY CARE! IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT REHABILITATION STARTS RIGHT AWAY!
