Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians
(for athletes under 18 year of age)
I will help prevent concussions by:
·
Wearing the
proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.
- Developing my skills and strength so that I can
participate to the best of my ability.
- Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.
- My commitment to fair play and respect for all*
(respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials).
I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously,
and I understand that:
·
A concussion is a brain injury that can
have both short- and long-term effects.
- A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the
body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a
concussion.
- I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a
concussion.
- I have a commitment to concussion recognition and
reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting
to a designated person when and individual suspects that another
individual may have sustained a concussion.* (Meaning: If I think I might
have a concussion I should stop participating in further training,
practice or competition immediately,
or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion).
- Continuing to participate in further training,
practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of
more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries.
I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and
others.
- I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach,
official, team manager, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any
symptoms of concussion.
- If someone else tells me about concussion
symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a
coach, official, team manager, parent or another adult I trust so they can
help.
- I understand that if I have a suspected concussion,
I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training,
practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical
doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to
training, practice or competition.
- I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent
information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete’s
school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has
registered* (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand
that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury
will help them support me while I recover.)
I will take the time I need to recover, because it is important for my
health.
- I understand my commitment to supporting the
return-to-sport process* (I will have to follow my sport organization’s Return-to-Sport
Protocol).
- I understand I will have to be medically cleared
by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training,
practice or competition.
- I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents,
health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding
my health and safety.
·
Acknowledgement of the escalating consequences for
those who repeatedly violate the Concussion Code of Conduct. *