CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
 
STEP 1: INJURY OCCURS 
Either an instructor or parent observe the injury or the student reports it. At the point that a suspected concussion has occurred, the injured student is immediately removed from training. 
 
STEP 2: INJURY EVALUATION 
A concussion can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and muscle coordination. People with concussions often report a brief period of amnesia or forgetfulness, where they cannot remember what happened immediately before or after the injury. They may act confused, dazed or describe "seeing stars." Instructors who suspect a person has suffered a concussion may ask the injured person if they know their name, what month/year it is and where they are. 
Even mild concussions should not be taken lightly. Neurosurgeons and other brain injury experts emphasize that although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion. In most cases, a single concussion should not cause permanent damage. A second concussion soon after the first one does not have to be very strong for its effects to be permanently disabling.
 
Common Symptoms of Concussion
A.             Confusion
B.             Headache
C.             Vision disturbances (double or blurry vision)
D.             Dizziness or imbalance
E.              Nausea or vomiting
F.              Memory loss
G.             Ringing ears
H.             Difficulty concentrating
I.               Sensitivity to light
J.               Loss of smell or taste
K.              Trouble falling asleep
 
If any of these occur after a blow to the head, a health-care professional should be consulted as soon as possible. 
No student who displays symptoms of a possible concussion will return to training the same day. 
 
STEP 3: INJURY REFERRAL
A.             Once a concussion is observed and/or suspected, an instructor contacts the parents with details of what happened, observation cues, symptoms to watch for, and advise student cannot return without their physician release.
B.             Student must receive clearance prior to returning to training from a medical provider following a concussion assessment and treatment.
 
 
 
STEP 4: INJURY FOLLOW-UP CARE
A.             Instructors and parents monitor a gradual return to daily activities, school, and exercise.
B.             This includes the development of a return-to-training plan and observation.
C.             Together, the instructors and parents monitor the development and improvement of symptoms.
D.             Concussed student should refrain from all physical activity immediately following injury. Once their condition begins to improve, they may resume low-level activity, such as walking or riding a stationary bike at a low heart rate.
E.              Once the injured student is symptom free, attending school full-time without accommodations, and their physician has issued a medical clearance, they may begin the return-to-training protocol.
 
STEP 5: RETURN-TO-TRAINING
In order to return to training, the injured student must complete all steps of a graduated exercise progression, and receive written clearance from a healthcare professional.
 
A.             Graduated Return-to-Training Progression: Injured students must complete each step without a return of symptoms before progressing to the next step. If symptoms return during a step, the student should rest for 24 hours and then resume activity a step below the level where the symptoms occurred.
B.             Symptom-Limited Activity: Relative rest for 48-72 hours. Low intensity physical and mental activity at a level that does not exacerbate current symptoms. This also applies to the return-to-learn process and may include recommendations to stay home and limit school hours and homework. Gradual reintroduction of light activity while limiting symptoms.
C.             Light Aerobic Exercise
D.             Basic Skills Training
E.              Non-Contact Training
F.              Full-Contact Practice
G.             Unrestricted Return-to-Participation