Download You*ve had a concussion! How to return a player to the

Elaine Keunen RN, BHScN,CCNC(c)
Think First Canada
www.thinkfirst.ca
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The brain weighs about 3 lbs.
The brain uses 30% of the oxygen and energy
in your body.
The brain is encased by a skull with the
thickness of three pennies.
The brain is not fully developed until about
25 years of age.
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Frontal-personality, moral, ethical and social
values, abstract thinking, long term memory,
motor strip for the opposite side of the body
Parietal-sensory strip for the opposite side of
the body, two point discrimination,
reconigition of object by size, shape weight
and texture, body part awareness
Temporal-hearing, senses of taste and smell,
integrates sounds, thoughts and emotions
Occipital-vision, reading comprehension, and
visual recognition of objects
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There are 100 billion cells in the brain.
Most of the cells are called neurons.
Neurons are basically like on/off switches of
a light switch.
Neurons are either resting or shooting an
electrical impulse down a wire called an axon.
Each of the neurons spit out chemicals that
trigger other neurons.
A concussion is a brain injury that
results from a hit to the head, face or
jaw or even elsewhere on the body. It
may also result from a whiplash effect
to the head and neck.
There are 100 billion neurons (brain
cells) and 1000 axons which connect
each neuron in our brain, which
control all aspects of life. A
concussion disrupts those pathways
and can be catastrophic”
“
John Kumpf, executive director of the Ontario
Brain Injury Association
Headache
Dizziness
Feeling Dazed
Seeing Stars
Sensitivity to Light
Ringing in the Ears
Tiredness/Fatigue
Nausea/Vomiting
Irritability
Confusion/Disorientation
Poor Balance
 Slow or Slurred Speech
 Poor Concentration
 Delayed responses to questions
 Vacant Stare
 Decreased playing ability
Unusual emotions, personality changes and
inappropriate behaviour
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Why players should not play until symptoms
have subsided.
Second-impact syndrome (SIS) is an
extremely rare condition in which the
brain swells rapidly and catastrophically
after a person suffers a second
concussion before symptoms from an
earlier one have subsided. This deadly
second blow may occur days or weeks
after an initial concussion,[1] and even the
mildest grade of concussion can lead to
SIS.[2]
Unfortunately there is no definite
test or scan that can determine that
a concussion has occurred. It is
based on a judgment call
considering the situation and the
signs/symptoms that one is
exhibiting.
Researchers are finding that females
are two to five times more likely to
suffer a concussion- belief is that
hormones and the strength of neck
muscles play a role.
 Their symptoms generally are more
severe, and females generally take
longer to recover from concussions,
on average a week longer than the
male brain.
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Is a set of symptoms that a person may
experience for weeks, months, or
occasionally years after a concussion
It is not known what causes PCS to occur or
persist, or why some people who suffer a
concussion develop PCS while others do not
Occurs in about 10% of the people who have
suffered a concussion
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Headaches - the most common symptom
Dizziness-the second most common
symptom
Sensitivity to noise and light
Blurred vision or double vision
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Loss of hearing
Fatigue, sleeplessness or insomnia
Problems with concentration and memory
Irritability, depression and anxiety or changes
in personality
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is believed that some
individuals have a
susceptibility towards
concussions so players
that have had a one or
more concussions
should be watched
closely.
“When it comes to protection in the
sport of hockey, the helmet is an
athlete’s most vital piece of
equipment.”
Mark Messier-NHL hockey icon and spokesperson for The
Messier Project with Cascade Sports
Helmets are proven to
significantly reduce the number
of head injuries but the proper
use and fit is important. However,
wearing a helmet does not make
a player invincible to
concussions.
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You should be only able to get one finger
between the chin strap on a helmet and the
chin. Helmets must fit properly to be
effective!
*REMOVE THE PLAYER FROM THE GAME
•Do not leave the player alone-monitor signs
and symptoms
•Do not administer medication
•Inform the coach and parent or guardian of the
injury
•The player should be evaluated by a medical
physician
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Today's players are better trained and faster
on their skates then ever before, therefore
the acceleration of hits have increased. This
is because of improved ice conditions and
better quality skate technology.
“The faster the acceleration, the greater the
impact the internal organs (including the
brain) will suffer and the more shaken-up a
player will be.” Alain Hache author of ‘The Physics of
Hockey’
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Harder and Larger Protective Equipment
Just about every sport has a potential for
concussions to occur. Hockey, football,
soccer, basketball, rugby are all high risk
sports for concussions.
Surprisingly the most concussions occur
in football and boys and girls soccer at a
high school level.
(This is according to a study from the Center for Injury Research
and Policy at Nationwide Children's hospital in Columbus Ohio)
A Little Known Fact About Hockey
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The first testicular guard "Cup" was used in hockey
in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.
It took 100 years for us to realize that the brain is
also important.
Quote from Paul Dennis
2010 HOCKEY CANADA CONCUSSION SEMINAR
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Elaine Keunen RN, BHScN, CCNC(c)
 Think First Canada
 www.thinkfirst.ca
No activity, only complete rest!
Only precede to step 2 when symptoms are
gone!
Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary
cycling. Monitor for signs and symptoms. No
resistance training or weight lifting during this step
Sport specific activities and training.
Begin player back on the ice skating
Drills without body contact. May add some light
resistance training and progress to weight
training.
Begin drills with body contact
Game Play!
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minimum length of time
between each return to play
steps should be 1 day.
Therefore no player should be
returning to game play before
about one week after suffering a
concussion.
Make sure that the helmet is in a
good state of repair with no
missing screws or pieces of
internal foam. Carry a screwdriver
and extra helmet screws in your
hockey bag or trainers kits to be
prepared for repairs.
Replace your mouth guard each season, when
worn from chewing and with changes in teeth
i.e.. new molars etc.
They want a concussion or a hockey injury
about as much as you do. You got to be
respectful to get respect!
Be aware of where your body is
hitting and keep control of your
stick!
THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A TRAINER
ON THE TEAM!
Carry a screwdriver and extra screws in your
trainer box for repairs during practices and
games
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You set the tone for the game. Dirty hits or
dangerous play can get out of hand quickly.
PROVIDE EDUCATIONIONAL
SEMINARS IN YOUR ASSOCIATIONS .
ASK FOR INFORMATION FROM PROVIDERS SUCH AS
THINK FIRST
www.thinkfirst.ca
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