Concussion Reporting

Ontario is a national leader in concussion management and prevention. Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 makes it mandatory for sports organizations to:

1. ensure that athletes under 26 years of age,* parents of athletes under 18, coaches, team trainers and officials confirm every year that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources
2. establish a Concussion Code of Conduct that sets out rules of behaviour to support concussion prevention
3. establish a Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol

The new rules requiring the review of Concussion Awareness Resources and Concussion Codes of Conduct came into effect on July 1, 2019.

The rules for removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols came into effect on January 1, 2022

WHEN IN DOUBT SIT THEM OUT!

Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from activity immediately for medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.

No-Concussion diagnosis by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner = return to activity

Concussion diagnosis by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner = graduated return to sport strategy (consult your sport’s Concussion Policy and/or Return-to-Sport Strategy)

Everyone can help recognize a possible concussion if they know what to look for.

A person with a concussion might have any of the signs or symptoms listed below. They might show up right away or hours, or even days later. Just one sign or symptom is enough to suspect a concussion. Most people with a concussion do not lose consciousness.

Common signs and symptoms

Physical

• Headache
• Pressure in the head
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Ringing in the ears
• Balance problems
• Tired or low energy
• Drowsiness
• “Don’t feel right”

Sleep-related

• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Having a hard time falling asleep

Cognitive (Thinking)

• Not thinking clearly
• Slower thinking
• Feeling confused
• Problems concentrating
• Problems remembering

Emotional

• Irritability (easily upset or angered)
• Depression
• Sadness
• Nervous or anxious

Red Flag Symptoms

“Red flags” may mean the person has a more serious injury. Treat red flags as an emergency and call 911.

Red flags include:

• Neck pain or tenderness
• Double vision
• Weakness or tingling in arms or legs
• Severe or increasing headache
• Seizure or convulsion
• Loss of consciousness (knocked out)
• Vomiting more than once
• Increasingly restless, agitated or aggressive
• Getting more and more confused

Please review the following document. It outlines the step-by-step process to follow when an athlete is suspected of having sustained a concussion. 

It provides clear guidance from the initial incident through the athlete's return to sport, including the actions that must be taken, who needs to be notified, the required documentation, and the approximate timelines for completing each step.

SMBA's Concussion Management Process

Removal from Sport Letter - This is a template of the letter you will receive if a report of you being suspected of sustaining a concussion has been made. 

Medical Assessment Letter - This is the letter you will need completed by a Medical Doctor or a Nurse Practitioner if you have received a Removal from sport letter BEFORE you will be allowed to return to unrestricted play.

Medical Clearance Letter - If you have been diagnosed with having a concussion you will need to have this letter completed, at least twice, along your Graduated Return to Sport pathway. You will need to receive a completed copy of this letter, stating you have been medically cleared, before you can return to unrestricted play.  

Return to Sport Documentation - This is the form SMBA's Health and Safety Committee and their Designated Person(s) will complete to document your return to sport progress.  

If you suspect a SMBA athlete has sustained a concussion please email SMBA's Health and Safety Committee by the end of day of the occurrence. 

Review the SMBA's Concussion Management Process document and ensure you include all the relevant information.

A member of the SMBA's Health and Safety Committee will review your report and follow up with the athlete.