In aligning with other soccer organizations, PPSA will follow these guidelines regarding a potential concussion:
CONCUSSION SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND MANAGEMENT AT TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS
Concussion: a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. Medically, a concussion is a complex, pathophysiological event to the brain that is induced by trauma which may or may not involve a loss of consciousness (LOC). Concussion results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms. Signs or symptoms may last from several minutes to days, weeks, months or even longer in some cases.
Step 1:
Did a concussion occur? Evaluate the player and note if any of the following signs and/or symptoms are present:
- Dazed look or confusion about what happened.
- Memory difficulties.
- Neck pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, double vision, blurriness, ringing noise or sensitive to sounds.
- Short attention span. Can’t keep focused.
- Slow reaction time, slurred speech, bodily movements are lagging, fatigue, and slowly answers questions or has difficulty answering questions.
- Abnormal physical and/or mental behavior.
- Coordination skills are behind, ex: balancing, dizziness, clumsiness, reaction time.
Step 2:
Is emergency treatment needed? This would include the following scenarios:
- Spine or neck injury or pain.
- Behavior patterns change, unable to recognize people/places, less responsive than usual.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Headaches that worsen
- Seizures
- Very drowsy, can’t be awakened
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing confusion or irritability
- Weakness, numbness in arms and legs.
Step 3:
If a possible concussion occurred, but no emergency treatment is needed, what should be done now? Focus on these areas every 5-10 min for the next 1 – 2 hours, without returning to any activities:
- Balance, movement.
- Memory, instructions, and responses.
- Attention on topics, details, confusion, ability to concentrate.
- State of consciousness
- Mood, behavior, and personality
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and noise
Players shall not re-enter competition, training, or partake in any activities for at least 24 hours. Even if there are no signs or symptoms after 15-20 min, activity should not be taken by the player.
Step 4:
A player diagnosed with a possible concussion may return to play only after release from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy specializing in concussion treatment and management.
Step 5:
If there is a possibility of a concussion, do the following:
- Coach notifies parents/guardians of potential concussion.
- Coach notifies school PPSA coordinator by email of potential concussion for file.