Concussion Information

On April 2, 2012, Wisconsin State law was amended to include Wisconsin Act 172.  This law relates to concussions and head injuries sustained in youth activities.  This law requires all organized youth athletic organizations to provide information for educating coaches and parents/guardians about the nature and risks of concussion and head injury in youth athletic activity.  Specifically, the statute states:
 

(3) At the beginning of a season for a youth athletic activity, the person operating the youth athletic activity shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to each person who will be coaching that youth athletic activity and to each person who wishes to participate in that youth athletic activity. No person may participate in a youth athletic activity unless the person returns the information sheet signed by the person and, if he or she is under the age of 19, by his or her parent or guardian.

 

The Act also states that a coach or official involved in youth athletic activity must remove a participant from activity if the coach or official determines that the athlete exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion or head injury.  In accordance with the Act, that athlete may not return to play until written permission by a health care professional is received.

 

The complete Act can be found at:  http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/172.pdf

 

What you need to know about concussions:

A concussion is an injury to the brain that disturbs its normal functioning.  Concussions can be caused by a bump to the head or a blow to the body.  Concussions may occur during practices or games in any sport.  Concussions do not necessarily involve loss of consciousness.

 

All concussions are serious.  Recognition and proper management of concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.  Signs and symptoms of a concussion may be apparent right after the injury, but in some instances, the symptoms may not present for hours or days following the initial injury.

 

Symptoms observed by parents, guardians and coaches:

Ø  Appears dazed or stunned

Ø  Is confused about what to do

Ø  Forgets instructions

Ø  Is unsure of game, score or opponent

Ø  Moves clumsily

Ø  Answers questions slowly

Ø  Loses consciousness

Ø  Shows behavior or personality changes

Ø  Cannot recall events prior to or after hit or fall

Ø  Has unequal pupil dilation

 

 

Symptoms reported by the athlete:

Ø  Headache

Ø  Loss of appetite

Ø  Low energy or feels run down

Ø  Feeling “pressure” in the head

Ø  Nausea or vomiting

Ø  Balance problems or dizziness

Ø  Double or blurry vision

Ø  Sensitivity to light and/or noise

Ø  Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy

Ø  Concentration or memory problems

Ø  Confusion

Ø  Does not “feel right”

 

Athletes who report or exhibit any of these signs or symptoms must be immediately removed from practice or play until given written permission to return by a health care professional. 

 

More information on concussion and head injuries can be found at:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/pdf/Parents_Fact_Sheet-a.pdf

 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/index.html

 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/sports/index.html

 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/index.html

 

http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/tbi-conc-guidelines.html

 

As the law states, no person may participate in a youth athletic activity unless the person returns the information sheet signed by the person and, if he or she is under the age of 19, by his or her parent or guardian. 

 

www.elmbrookyouthhockey.org/files/concussion_-_player_med_release_2012.pdf

www.elmbrookyouthhockey.org/files/concussion_-_parent_guardian_acknowledgement_20122.pdf

http://www.elmbrookyouthhockey.org/files/concussion_-_coaches_officials_acknowledgement_2012.pdf