Our team manager is trained and obtained certification in the following areas:
Player safety is our number one priority. Our policy is the same for every player; if we suspect a concussion the player will be removed from play. They will be assessed by our manager who uses the Concussion Recognition & Response/imPACT sideline app. Parents, if not present, will be contacted immediately. Springboks Rugby follows the IRB's Graduated Return to Play Program.
PARENTS AND ATHLETES! We need YOU to get certified so you can be our eyes on and off the field. We simply can not watch every single player for the duration of an entire game. The more awareness - the better chance we have of recognizing and removing a child from play!
-World Rugby - Concussion Management for the General Public -Concussion Fact sheet for PARENTS -Heads up Concussion Training -Rugby Ready - A Collective Responsibility Seattle Seahawks head coach, Pete Carroll, wants to use rugby to make NFL safer and his team's tackling better
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What is a concussion? World Rugby defines sports related concussion as a sub-type of traumatic brain injury that occurs in a wide range of sports, typically as a consequence of a linear or rotational forces transmitted to the brain. A concussion is defined as a traumatically induced short-lived disturbance of brain function, caused by a complex neuro-metabolic patho-physiological process. The facts: While It is incredibly difficult to find accurate statistics for high school rugby athletes, more and more people are taking head injuries seriously. Here is what we know so far:
Myths vs. Facts
Myth #1: Everyone with a concussion needs a CT scan or MRI right away. Fact: While there is damage to the brain cells in a concussion, the damage is at a microscopic level and cannot be seen on MRI or CT scans. The concussed brain looks normal on these tests, even though it has been seriously injured. Blown pupils, unresponsiveness or severe symptoms require immediate medical attention, call 911. Myth #2: You should not treat the headache from concussion with any medications because you might mask some symptoms. Fact: After 4 hours of monitoring, if symptoms haven't worsened, you can usually take Tylenol. Some drugs might make you sleepy and make it difficult to tell how you are really doing. Aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve should not be taken for pain since it can increase bleeding . At times prescription medicine may be needed. Myth #3: Someone with a concussion should be woken up every 2-3 hours. Fact: Drowsiness and fatigue are common symptoms of concussion. Getting plenty of sleep and allowing the brain to heal are necessary for recovery. Again, as long as symptoms are not worsening, let them sleep & nap. Myth #4: Children recover at the same rate as adults. Fact: Children and teenagers actually recover more slowly due to their developing brain. They are also more prone to complications from concussion. Myth #5: A concussion requires loss of consciousness. Fact: Loss of consciousness is not the only indicator of concussion. Approximately only 10% of concussions involve loss of consciousness. Myth #6: There are no long term effects of concussion. Fact: A concussion that is not properly treated at the beginning can lead to post-concussion syndrome, with prolonged symptoms that affect memory, physical and emotional functioning for many months to years. Myth #7: A concussion is not a brain injury. Fact: A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI. Since the mid-1990s, the use of the term "mTBI," rather than "mild closed head injury" has been utilized as the standard term by professionals and the Brain Injury Association of America. Myth #8: Male and female athletes have the same chance of sustaining a concussion. Fact: Female athletes are more prone to concussions than their male counterparts in studies. Possible explanations for this are that female athletes are more open to report concussion and there are gender differences in anatomy and physiology. Myth #9: Athletes will acknowledge when they have sustained a concussion. Fact: Some players are hesitant to report injury and want to return to sports. I stress that it is everyone's responsibility to report a head injury, if you notice your teammate acting funny or being 'off' it is your duty to tell the trainer. Myth #10: An athlete needs to be hit on the head to sustain a concussion. Fact: Concussions can occur with any movement or jostling of the head as in whiplash injuries (front to back) or rotational force (side to side). Myth #11: Injury to the brain only occurs at the initial impact of the concussion. Fact: Traumatic brain injury is an evolving process at the microscopic level of the brain. Chemical and metabolic changes occur for days, weeks to months after impact. That is why it is important to prevent any additional concussions and avoid a second impact syndrome during this time period. Myth #12: Sports-related concussion impacts cannot be compared to motor vehicle accident impacts. Fact: Sports related concussion studies indicate that these concussions are comparable to motor vehicle accident-related concussion impacts. For example, the impact speed of a professional boxer's punches was measured at 20 mph. The impact speed of a football player's tackle on a stationary player was measured at 25 mph. A soccer ball's impact speed was measured at 70 mph. These are significant amount of force exerted on the brain. Myth #13: Helmets and equipment will prevent concussion if the newest model is used. Fact: No equipment can completely protect from concussion. Concussion/mild traumatic brain injury can be caused by straight-on impact, rotation with impact, whip-lash without impact and sideways impact. Helmets, mouth guards and other protective devices may lower the risk or offer more information for the trainer and doctor, but no equipment eliminates the risk of concussion. Newer products with rubber padding and different materials may reduce the chance of concussion in one model (such as straight-on impact) but not change the risk in another model (such as rotation with impact) - See more at: http://www.kumed.com/medical-services/concussion-management/myths-facts#sthash.v1uW7A9i.dpuf |