CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT and TO DO's
Currently responding to a possible head injury? Click here
The goal of Utah Swimming Concussion Management is to insure that concussed athletes are identified, treated, referred to receive appropriate medical care and are fully recovered before returning to activity.
To do this, Utah Swimming provides:
- EDUCATION about concussions for coaches, officials, club leaders, parents and athletes
- PROCEDURES for coaches, officials and others to follow in managing concussions and head injuries. Additionally, post-injury athlete care, and return to swim information is also provided. To comply with Utah State law, there are also procedures about informed consent before participation.
All clubs, coaches, referees, meet directors and others have specific responsibilities.
Why add more responsibility to already busy people?
- To better care for injured swimmers
- To prevent further injury
- To comply with Utah State law
Quick Link to the "To Do's" for
- Athletes
- Parents
- Coaches
- Clubs
- Meet Directors, Referees and Team Leaders
- Club Safety Coordinators and Officials
RESOURCES
Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy
The official policy of Utah Swimming on concussion and head injuries. Many of the other resources have their root in this policy. It also has specific information on notification and acknowledgement requirements.
Compliance
Parent and Athlete Education and Informed Consent Acknowledgement
- Concussion in Youth Sports: Fact Sheet and Informed Consent Acknowledgement A fact sheet for parents, athletes and others to learn more about concussion. It also includes an informed consent acknowledgement which athletes, and a parent, must sign before participation. Concussion education and signed acknowledgement of receipt and compliance is an annual requirement under Utah State law. It must occur before minor athletes may participate in any sport.
Coach and Official Education Requirement (CPT)
Taking either of the classes below fills the USA Swimming concussion protocol training (CPT) requirement for coaches and officials.
- Heads-up to Youth Sports: Online Training The free Center for Disease Control (CDC) online training on concussions. This online course is available to coaches, parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion.
- Online Concussion Training Course for High School Sports Coaches This free course was produced by The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and CDC's HEADS UP. It's purpose is to educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of propr concussion recognition and management in high school sports.
Respond
Utah state law requires the removal of a child participant suspected of sustaining a concussion or a traumatic head injury from all sporting events. It also requires written medical clearance before the child returns to participation. The full text of the bill may be viewed at http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/hbillenr/hb0204.pdf
Utah Swimming Concussion Management Plan Have an athlete with a witnessed or suspected bump or blow to the head or body?
- Recognize
- Remove
- Refer
- Report, then
- Follow Return to Swim procedures
Learn more by clicking on the link above.
Post Head Injury Instructions Have an athlete with a witnessed or suspected bump or blow to the head or body? Share this information with the athlete and/or his/her parent.
Possible Concussion at the Pool? USA Swimming checklist to assist coaches, officials and others evaluating athletes with head injuries.
Report
USA Swimming requires coaches, officials or someone affiliated with the club/facility to file a Report of Occurrence any time there is an accident or injury during any USA Swimming activity.
- Report of Occurrence Online Form
- Instructions and information about the Report of Occurrence
Educational
USA Swimming
Information about concussion is available in the Safety/Operational Risk area of the USA Swimming website.
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Heads Up to Youth Sports (Young Athletes)
The CDC website on concussion in youth sports. Has sections with information specific to:
- Coaches
- Parents
- Officials
- Young Athletes
Heads Up to School Sports (Teens)
The CDC website on concussion in teen sports. Has sections with information specific to:
- Coaches
- Parents
- Officials
- Teen Athletes
TO DO'S
Athletes
-
If you receive a head injury, let your coach and parents know(s).
-
Read, understand and agree to the Concussion in Youth Sports: Fact Sheet and Informed Consent Acknowledgement
Parents
- Help your child(ren) understand the importance of telling you, and their coach, when they bump their head, or their body gets a jolt that shakes their head hard and they don't feel right.
- Each year, and before an athlete participates in practiced, a meet or other sporting event, a parent must read, understand and agree to the Concussion in Youth Sports: Fact Sheet and Informed Consent Acknowledgement. The parent shall sign and return the acknowledgement portion to the club. This record may be distributed and collected digitally by the club.
- Post Head Injury Instructions are available in case of injury.
- Note for Parents of Athletes Not Affiliated with a Club: Parents of athletes unaffiliated with a member swim club access the Concussion in Youth Sports: Fact Sheet and Informed Consent Acknowledgement through the Utah Swimming website. They verify reading the fact sheet and sign the acknowledgement annually when registering with USA and Utah Swimming. Upon annual registration, the Utah Swimming registrar will verify compliance. Athletes not affiliated with a member club will not be registered without verification. (Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy, 6.2)
Coaches
- Help your athletes understand the importance of telling you, and their parent(s), when they bump their head, or their body gets a jolt that shakes their head hard and they don't feel right.
- Annually: Take a CDC or NFHS course on concussions OR if required course was taken previously, read the Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy Sections two (2) through four (4) that year AND agree to follow the procedures outlined therein.
- To get the CPT to show up on DeckPass or a USA Swimming membership, send the proof of course completion to the Utah Swimming Registrar. (Contact information on Utah Swimming website > Governance > Board of Directors) Please allow time for processing.
- When evaluating an athlete who has received, or is suspected to have received, a bump or blow to the head, or body:
- Follow the Utah Swimming Concussion Management Plan or the USA Swimming publication: Possible Concussion at the Pool
- Give the Post Head Injury Instructions to the parent of a possibly concussed athlete
Clubs
- Each year, and prior to an athlete participating in a sporting event (including practice) a copy of this policy, or the Concussion in Youth Sports: Fact Sheet and Informed Consent Acknowledgement shall be made available to each athlete and his/her parent by the swim club. The parent of each minor athlete shall sign and return the acknowledgement portion to the club. (Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy, 6.1)
- To comply with Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy, 6.3: Each year, at club registration, the club shall certify to Utah Swimming that:
- The club has a current (within the year), parent signed acknowledgement for each athlete participating with the club. The signature may be electronic.
- The Club Safety Coordinator as well as each person coaching or officiating for the club has either: Taken a CDC or NFHS course on concussions OR if the required course for coaches and officials was taken previously, read the Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy Sections two (2) through four (4) that year AND has agreed to follow the procedures outlined therein.
Meet Directors, Referees, Team Leaders and Others
When evaluating an athlete who has received, or is suspected to have received, a bump or blow to the head, or body:
- Follow the Utah Swimming Concussion Management Plan or the USA Swimming publication: Possible Concussion at the Pool
- Give the Post Head Injury Instructions to the parent of a possibly concussed athlete
Club Safety Coordinators and Officials
Annually: Take a CDC or NFHS course on concussions OR if required course was taken previously, read the Utah Swimming Management of Concussion and Head Injuries Policy Sections two (2) through four (4) that year AND agree to follow the procedures outlined therein.
- To get the CPT to show up on DeckPass or a USA Swimming membership, send the proof of course completion to the Utah Swimming Registrar. (Contact information on Utah Swimming website > Governance > Board of Directors) Please allow time for processing.
USA Swimming Presentation: Concussion and the Swim Official (also covers Lindsay's Law and AED)
This Concussion Management web page and the Utah Swimming concussion policy and resources were prepared using the Sports Concussion Management Plan developed by the University of Utah's Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Nebo School District Management of Concussions and Head Injuries Policy and also information from USA Swimming. The contents are not intended as legal or medical advice. Utah Swimming and its officers and employees are neither responsible for, nor accept, any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damages arising from or connect to the use of this information.
