Concussion Management
What should I do when I'm recovering?
Physical and mental rest are very important to your recovery. Keep your heart rate low and do not do any physical activity or anything strenuous. The following may increase symptoms, so try to avoid computer/phone/television screens, loud music/events (sporting events), video games, prolonged periods of concentration (homework, studying, reading, etc). If you must do schoolwork, take frequent study breaks to avoid increasing symptoms.
While you're recovering...
It is okay to:
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Do Not:
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What could happen if I return to play too soon or play with a concussion?
Continuing to play with any of the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences.
Return to Learn Protocol |
Return to Play Protocol |
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Once an athlete has been diagnosed with a concussion either by the AT or a physician, the school nurse (Mrs. Okamoto) will be notified.
Mrs. Okamoto will email student-athlete's teachers and provide any necessary academic accommodations. She will also check in and record symptoms with student-athlete once a week. If a student-athlete continues to have concussion symptoms for 3 weeks or more--the student's counselor will be notified and the student may be placed on a temporary 504 plan. Once the student-athlete is symptom free and discontinuing all academic accommodations, Mrs. Okamoto will again email teachers to let them know the student has recovered from their concussion. The return to play protocol will then begin. |
General Return to Play Protocol
Please refer to the concussion portion of the Policies & Procedures Manual or the Concussion Management Packet for more in depth information. Step 1: Physical & mental rest until symptom free for 24 hrs Step 2: Light aerobic exercise Step 3: Light aerobic exercise/sport specific exercise Step 4: Non-contact practice (or 75% effort) Step 5: Full contact practice Step 6: Return to competition If athlete experiences any symptoms during any return to play step, they will stop and repeat the same step the following day. Only 1 step will be completed each day. |