This district is concerned about the health, safety, and well-being of students, including those who participate in extracurricular activities, contact sports for both girls and boys such as, but not limited to, football, wrestling, soccer, basketball and baseball/softball. In an effort to maintain the health and safety of students, the following guidelines from the Idaho High School Activities Association will be strictly followed:
Action Plan
Coaches, trainers, and other adults associated with a school athletic team will receive appropriate training regarding injuries to student athletes, including concussions.
If a player is suspected of having a concussion, the following steps should be taken:
- Remove athlete from play.
- Ensure athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health care professional.
- Inform athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion. (Fact sheet available from CDC at www.cdc.gov/concussion)
- Athlete will complete the Gradual Return to Play Protocol as outlined by the NFHS (see www.NFHS.org)
- Allow the athlete to return to play only with the permission from an appropriate health care professional and the consent of a parent and/or guardian.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs Observed by Coaching Staff
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Is confused about events
- Repeats questions
- Forgets plays
- Is unsure of game, score or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness (even briefly)
- Shows behavior or personality changes
- Forgets class schedule or assignments
- Can’t recall events prior to hit
- Can’t recall events after hit
Symptoms Reported by Athlete:
Emotional:
- Irritable
- Sad
- More emotional than usual
- Nervous
Thinking/Remembering:
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Feeling more slowed down
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
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- Drowsy
- Sleeps less than usual
- Sleeps more than usual
- Has trouble falling asleep
Physical:
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Fatigue or feeling tired
- Blurry vision or double vision
- Numbness or tingling
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Does not “feel right”
Additionally, students with a concussion should NOT return to sports or recreation activities on the same day the injury occurred. They should delay returning to their activities until a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion says they are symptom-free and it is OK to return to play. This means, until permitted, not returning to:
- Physical education class
- Sports practices or games, or
- Physical activity at recess.
Danger Signs:
Be alert for symptoms that worsen over time. A student should be seen in an emergency department right away if s/he has:
- One pupil larger than the other
- Drowsiness or cannot be awakened
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions or seizures
- Difficulty recognizing people or places
- Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
- Unusual behavior
- Loss of consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)
Post-Concussion Action Plan
Students who return to school after a concussion may need to:
- Take rest breaks as needed
- Spend fewer hours at school
- Be given more time to take tests or complete assignments
- Receive help with schoolwork and/or
- Reduce time spent on the computer, reading, or writing.
When students return to school after a concussion, school professionals should watch for:
- Increased problems paying attention or concentrating
- Increased problems remembering or learning new information
- Longer time needed to complete tasks or assignments
- Difficulty organizing tasks
- Inappropriate or impulsive behavior during class
- Greater irritability
- Less able to cope with stress or is more emotional
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code § 33-1625 (Youth Athletes – Concussion and Head Injury Guidelines and
Requirements)
IHSAA Guidelines
CDC Concussion:
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html
CDC Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist:
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/schools/tbi_schools_checklist_508-a.pdf
ADOPTED: January 20, 2016
AMENDED: