Sudbury Yacht Club Sailing School Policy on:
CONCUSSIONS &
MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
SAILING SCHOOL POLICY: CONCUSSION |
APPROVED: LAST REVIEW: |
PURPOSE/RATIONALE
The primary objective of the sailing school is to ensure that all participants have a safe experience while attending Sailing School Classes.
As in many other sports, the risks of concussions are very present in sailing (hit by the boom).
There has been an increased awareness about concussions in sports and In 2018, the province of Ontario passed concussion safety legislation to protect amateur athletes: the Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, establishes mandatory requirements that call for removal of athletes protocols when a concussion is suspected, code of conduct and education for all stakeholders.
STATEMENT
The SYC Sailing School recognizes the potential severity of a head injury and is committed to the following actions regarding concussions:
● Provide education and training to its instructors which will include:
o What concussions are;
o How to prevent concussions in sailing;
o How to recognize potential concussions;
o How to manage potential concussions;
o Procedures for the quick recognition and removal of any individual with a suspected concussion;
o When a sailor with a suspected concussion can return to sailing
o The content of this policy.
● Establish procedures for the quick recognition, removal of any individual with a suspected concussion and returning to sailing;
● Provide education resources to build awareness among sailors and their parents/guardians; ● Engage the instructors and the volunteers in achieving the objective of ZERO injury.
The SYC Sailing School instructors will:
● Provide ongoing reminders to sailors of the need to take care around the boom and the mast as well as while moving and setting up boats;
● Not tolerate dangerous or reckless behavior (see also the Instructor’s Code of Conduct, the Youth Sailor Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy);
● Never proceed onto the water in conditions that are inappropriate for the skill level of the sailors in their care (see also the Instructors Code of Conduct);
● Will always ensure that sailors who are out in boats are properly supervised (see also the Instructors Code of Conduct).
The SYC Sailing School recognizes that multiple factors have an influence on the risks of concussions; this policy complements the other policies of the SYC Sailing School which have embedded measures (intentionally redundant) to reduce the risk of accidents, including head injuries.
CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
(see also Appendix A)
Recognition, removal, reporting and referral
If any individual suffers any kind of injury where there is potential for there to have been direct or indirect force to the head, neck or face, and is experiencing or demonstrating any VISIBLE CUES, SIGNS or SYMPTOMS (see Appendix A) of suspected concussion, the individual will be REMOVED from activity immediately and REST.
An individual SHOULD also be REMOVED from sailing activity if he/she discloses or if an instructor become aware through any means this individual suffered a possible concussion through another activity.
Because SYMPTOMS may not appear immediately, it is important the sailor be MONITORED for delayed SYMPTOMS.
For sailors under 18, all suspected concussions or situations that occurred that potentially could result in a concussion will be REPORTED to the parent(s) or guardian(s).
Parent(s) or guardians will be advised by the instructor to monitor the sailors for delayed SIGNS and SYMPTOMS for the next 72 hours.
All individuals of any age with a suspected concussion will be REFERRED to a medical doctor (or nurse practitioner) for medical assessment and diagnosis.
If a direct force to the head results in any RED FLAG (see Appendix A), the instructor will immediately call emergency services (911).
Any incident resulting in injury or REMOVAL must be reported on a SYC Sailing School Incident Report Form.
A MEDICAL CLEARANCE is required before a sailor is permitted to return to sailing activities after experiencing signs or symptoms of a concussion, or after having reported a concussion.
The MEDICAL CLEARANCE will be filed with the original copy of the Incident Report.
The instructors will follow the specific recommendations (if any) included with the MEDICAL CLEARANCE (ex.: gradually build the activity level to help the individual return slowly to normal activity).
APPENDIX A
