Concussion Management Plan
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding concussions or any other medical conditions.
Saskatoon Adult Soccer recommends that players be aware of the signs of concussions.
The following elements should be assessed for all athletes who are suspected of having a concussion.
If any of the Red Flags are noted after receiving high force to the body or a direct or indirect blow to the head, the athlete should, if able, be immediately and safely removed from participation and evaluated by a physician or licensed healthcare professional.
ASSESSMENT STEPS
STEP 1: RED FLAGS
Neck pain or tenderness Vomiting
Double vision Seizure or convulsion
Severe or increasing headache Confusion
Increasingly restless, agitated, combative Deteriorating/loss of consciousness
Weakness or tingling / burning in arms or legs Balance issues
STEP 2: OBSERVABLE SIGNS
Lying motionless on the playing surface
Balance / gait difficulties / motor incoordination: stumbling, slow / laboured movements
Disorientation / confusion / inability to respond appropriately to STEP 3 questions
Blank or vacant look
Facial injury after head trauma
STEP 3: MEMORY ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
What happened? Which soccer centre are we at today?
Which half is it now? Are we winning?
What team did you play last week? What day of the week is it?
STEP 4: MONITOR FOR 2-4 HOURS FROM INCIDENT
The first 2-4 hours from the incident is often when symptoms appear. Monitor for the following:
Headache / Pressure Blurred Vision More emotional / Sadness / Anxious
More Irritable Neck Pain Sensitivity to Light or Noise
Balance Issues Drowsiness / Fatigue Dizziness
Difficulty Remembering Difficulty Concentrating Do not Feel Right / Foggy
STEP 5: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2-4 HOURS FROM INCIDENT
Do not leave athlete alone! Do not drink!
Do not allow them to go home alone! Do not drive!
Do not use recreational or prescription drugs!
If symptoms are present, we recommend you seek advice from a healthcare professional.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Play should not resume for at least 24 hours.
Most adults tend to heal within 10 - 21 days.
Children typically take longer to heal (14 - 28 days).
Continuing to partake prior to being healed will prolong symptoms.
Subsequent concussions may take longer to heal. Concussions and their effects are cumulative.
A hit to the head is not the only way to be concussed. The force of being hit elsewhere may also cause a concussion.
RESOURCES
Please review the following sites and pages for additional information:
SAS Concussion Management pdf
