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2024 CONCUSSION AWARENESS

CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT AT ALL thinkLAX TOURNAMENTS

By now, you probably know the facts about concussions, but we plan for them, when they happen at our events.

1. What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury.  Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the heard.  Even a small hit to the head can be serious.

No coach, parent, athletic trainer, etc. can see a concussion.  Signs and symptoms of concussions can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury.  If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.  

2. SIGNS WE USE AT OUR EVENTS

  • Heachache or "pressure" in head
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitivity to noise
  • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
  • Concentration or memory problems
  • Confusion
  • Just not "feeling right" or is "feeling down"

POST EVENT:

  • Appears dazed or stunned
  • Is confused about assignments or positions
  • Forgets instruction
  • Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
  • Moves clumsily
  • Answers questions slowly
  • Loses consciousness 
  • Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes

3. Our Events will Yank ‘em.

Athletes showing signs of a concussion should be removed from play immediately and screened by a healthcare professional. At all of our events concussions will PREVENT ANY RETURN TO PLAY.  No Doctor, Parent, Coach, etc., can release them to return to play. We will not debate with anyone on the matter our Certified Athletic Trainers have the final say on all things concussions and any hint of concussion they are instructed that the PLAYERS CANNOT RETURN TO PLAY by any and all thinkLAX tournaments.

4. YOU MUST REST ‘EM.

Our suggestion for all parents and players is a gradual return can start after an athlete has been cleared with written documentation by a healthcare professional. Athletes should also get support from their school for classes, exams or other cognitive functions. Working the brain, be it through mobile device or computer use, during concussion recovery is like running on an injured leg.

5. Return-to-play protocol.

Consider past medical history, as well as how the athlete responds along the way. Here’s a sample progression:

  1. Rest
  2. Return to school, non-athletic activities
  3. Begin aerobic exercise
  4. Light sport-specific training, like catching and throwing
  5. Non-contact drills
  6. Controlled full-contact scrimmage
  7. Full return, ready for games.

6. Our emergency action plan for an unconscious player.


Our Certified Athletic Trainers primary concern of emergency first aid is to maintain cardiovascular function, and indirectly central nervous system function, because failure of any of these system may lead to death.  Time is of the essence, so the evaluation of the injured athlete must be done rapidly and accurately.  If the Certified Athletic Trainer is not immediately accessible we ask any Health Care Professionals to act according to the following procedures:

Medical care cannot be delivered to the injured athlete until a systematic assessment of the situation has been made.  This assessments helps determine the nature of the injury and provide direction in the decision-making process concerning the emergency care that must be rendered.

  1. PRIMARY SURVEY: Is the assessment of life threatening problems including airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) and severe bleeding.  It takes precedence over all other aspects of victim assessment and should be used to correct the life threatening situations.
  2. SECONDARY SURVEY: Once the athlete is stabilized the secondary survey takes a closer look at the injury sustained.  The secondary survey gathers specific information about the injury from the athlete systematically assess vital signs and symptoms and allows a more detailed evaluation of the injury.  The secondary survey is done to uncover problems that do not pose an immediate threat to life but they may do so if they remain uncorrected.

7. Enforcement.

We ask all Club Directors, Owners, and Parents that they openly and unequivocally state their support for the plan, with strict adherence to the reporting, removal from play and the tournament policies stated above.