Belmont Community School District Concussion Management Plan
- CONCUSSION AND/OR UNCONSCIOUS PARTICIPANT
No athlete shall return to play or practice on the same day of being a) diagnosed with a concussion or b) rendered unconscious. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion or having been rendered unconscious must be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day. Any athlete with a concussion or having been rendered unconscious must be medically cleared by an appropriate health-care professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition. Return to play is a step-wise protocol which includes provisions for delaying return to play based upon the return of any signs or symptoms.
Note: WIAA Sport Medical Advisory Committee identifies physicians and licensed athletic trainers (LAT) as appropriate healthcare professionals for determining return to play other than the same day.
- Education and Training
- The Athletic Director shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to the head coach and assistant coaches of each school sports team. The Athletic Director shall review this information sheet at least annually, in relation to the Department of Public Instruction – developed concussion and head injury guidelines and information, to see if there have been any new developments or changes made regarding concussion and head injury management. If changes have been made, the information sheet shall be updated accordingly.
- It shall be the responsibility of the Athletic Director to distribute the concussion and head injury information sheet to each student who wishes to participate in a school sponsored athletic activity at the beginning of each athletic season.
- No student may participate in a WIAA-sanctioned, school-sponsored sport unless he/she returns to the coach or Athletic Director the concussion and head injury information sheet signed by the student and his/her parent or guardian.
- All Middle School and High School coaches shall be required every two years to complete the “Concussion in Sports: What you Need to Know” online training course offered by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The WIAA- recommended training program provides a guide to the understanding, recognition, and proper management of sports-related concussions. It shall be the responsibility of the Athletic Director to ensure coach compliance with this requirement.
- Removal of a Student from Athletic Activity Participation
- A student-athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behavior consistent with a concussion or who is suspected of having a concussion or has been rendered unconscious or has suffered an other head injury shall be removed from the athletic game, competition, or practice by the coach or by any health care provider who is providing support and medical assistance at the athletic event.
- The following are examples of the types of symptoms that a coach or health care provider should consider :
Symptoms Observed by Coaches or Others Symptoms Reported by Athlete
- dazed or stunned Headache or pressure in head Is confused about assignment or position Nausea or vomiting Forgets sports plays Balance problems or dizziness Is unsure of game, score, or opponent Double or blurry vision Moves clumsily Sensitivity to light or noise Answers questions slowly Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Loses consciousness (even briefly) Concentration or memory problems Shows behavior or personality changes Confusion Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall Does not feel right Can’t recall events after hit or fall
- If a health care provider is on site and available, he/she may be asked to help the coach make the determination to have the student-athlete removed from competition.
- If a health care provider is not on site and available to assess the student, this general assessment will be done by the coach. It is not the responsibility of the coach to determine the severity of the student’s possible injury, only to take appropriate and timely actions to safeguard the student who may have suffered an injury. As recommended by the WIAA, keep the athlete out of play when in doubt.
- The student-athlete should not be left alone and must be carefully observed to be sure the symptoms do not worsen.
- While all concussions are serious, some injured athletes will require immediate emergency medical care. Unless the student’s parent or guardian is present at the activity and immediately assumes full responsibility for the student’s care, the coach or game manager of the activity shall call emergency medical services or 911 if the coach assigned to observe the student observes that the student exhibits or reports any of the following symptoms: loss of consciousness, neck pain, blood or watery leakage from the ears, nose, or mouth, persistent vomiting, seizures, persistent severe headache, loss of or slurred speech, or excessive drowsiness.
- The student’s parent or guardian shall be consulted if present at the athletic event regarding this decision and the action to be taken regarding emergency treatment.
- If the student’s parent or guardian is not present at the event, the coach or game manager or designee will attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian.
- Every time a student is removed from an activity under these procedures, it shall be the responsibility of the head coach of the sports team to maintain regular communication with the student’s parent or guardian regarding the student’s injury and progress toward recovery.
- A major concern with a student concussion or loss of consciousness is that it can interfere with a student’s academic and school performance. A student may suffer some cognitive problems such as memory loss, unclear thinking, or unusual behavior. If deemed necessary and appropriate based on the student’s individual needs and circumstances, the classroom teacher shall provide reasonable accommodations for the student. Such decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
RETURN TO PLAY
Current recommendations are for a stepwise return to play program. In order to resume activity, the athlete must be symptom free and off any pain control or headache medications. The athlete should be carrying a full academic load without any significant accommodations. Finally, the athlete must have clearance from an appropriate health care provider.
The program described below is a guideline for returning concussed or rendered unconscious athletes when they are symptom free. Athletes with multiple concussions and athletes with prolonged symptoms often require a very different return to activity program and should be managed by a physician that has experience in treating concussion.
The following program allows for one step per 24 hours. The program allows for a gradual increase in heart rate/physical exertion, coordination, and then allows contact. If symptoms return, the athlete should stop activity and notify his or her healthcare provider before progressing to the next level.
Reminder: The athlete must be symptom free and off any pain control or headache medications. The athlete should be carrying a full academic load without any significant accommodations. Finally, the athlete must have clearance from an appropriate health care provider before he or she can begin the return to play protocol.
STEP ONE: About 15 minutes of light exercise; stationary biking or jogging.
STEP TWO: More strenuous running and sprinting in the gym or field without equipment.
STEP THREE: Begin non-contact drills in full uniform. May also resume weight lifting.
STEP FOUR: Full practice with contact.
STEP FIVE: Full game clearance.
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