Below are the removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols for Baysville Curling and Bocce Club (the “Club”) in respect of participants that have sustained a concussion or are suspected of having sustained a concussion.
Reference is made in the protocols to designated person(s). In accordance with the requirements set out in Rowan’s Law and its associated regulation, every sport organization, including the Club, is required to identify a designated person(s) as having specific responsibilities under the removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols. The Club will designate one or more such persons, including the member at large of the Board of Directors responsible for health and safety.
Removal-From-Sport Protocol
The following outlines a process for immediate removal of a participant who is suspected of having sustained a concussion.
1. Remove the Participant
Designated person(s) to immediately remove the participant from further participation if the participant has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion regardless of whether the concussion or suspected concussion was sustained from an activity associated with the Club.
2. Call 9-1-1 if Emergency
Designated person(s) to call 9-1-1 if in their opinion, doing so is necessary (e.g., if there is an emergency and any red flag signs and/or symptoms appear).
3. Inform
If the participant is under 18 years of age, Designated person(s) to inform the participant’s parent or guardian about the removal from further participation.
Designated person(s) to advise the participant, or the parent or guardian if the participant is under 18 years of age, that the participant is required to undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner before the participant will be permitted to return to training, practice or competition.
4. Give Protocols
Designated person(s) to provide the participant or, if the participant is under 18 years of age, the participant’s parent or guardian with the Club Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols as soon as possible after the participant has been removed from further training, practice or competition.
5. Record and Report the Incident
Make and keep a record of incidences where a participant is removed from further training, practice or competition because they are suspected of having sustained a concussion regardless of whether the participant is later diagnosed with a concussion.
If a Club designated person is not at the facility when an incident occurs then the skip of the participant’s team (or the captain of the participant’s bocce team, as applicable) shall undertake the responsibilities in items 1 to 3 above and report the incident to the member at large of the Board of Directors of the Club responsible for health and safety.
6. Returning to Training, Practice or Competition
Once removed, the participant is not permitted to return to training, practice or competition, except in accordance with the Club’s Return-to-Sport protocol.
Return-to-Sport Protocol
The following outlines a return-to-sport process for a participant who has been removed from participation due to a suspected or diagnosed concussion, regardless of whether the concussion was sustained or is suspected of having been sustained during a sport activity associated with the Club.
1. Receive Confirmation
Ensure that a participant who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion does not return to training, practice or competition until the participant or, if the participant is under 18 years of age, the participant’s parent or guardian provides confirmation to the designated person(s) that the participant:
has undergone a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner and has not been diagnosed as having a concussion, and
has been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition by the physician or nurse practitioner.
2. If Diagnosed with Having A Concussion
If a participant has been diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as having a concussion the participant must proceed through the graduated return-to-sport steps.
3. Graduated Return-to-Sport Steps
It is important to note that typical recovery times vary from person to person, and that some individuals may require more time to progress through the graduated return-to-sport steps.
The graduated return-to-sport steps may include the following activities. It is typically recommended that a participant with concussion rest for 24 to 48 hours before beginning step 1.
A participant is typically ready to progress to the next step when they can do the activities at their current step without new or worsening symptoms. If at any step symptoms get worse, they should stop and return to the previous step before trying again. If symptoms do not improve or if the symptoms continue to worsen, the participant should return to the physician or nurse practitioner.
The Club requires any participant who has sustained an injury resulting in a concussion wear protective head gear protecting the front and back of the skull, such as a helmet or a halo style head protection.
4. Share Medical Advice
A participant, or the participant’s parent or guardian must share the medical advice or recommendations they receive with the designated person(s) before being permitted to return to training, practice or competition through the graduated return-to-sport steps, if any.
5. Disclosing Diagnosis
The designated person(s) must inform the participant or, if the participant is under 18 years of age, the participant’s parent or guardian of the importance of disclosing the diagnosis to any other sport organization with which the participant is registered or school that the participant attends.
6. Medical Clearance
The participant, or the participant’s parent or guardian must provide the designated person(s) a confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner before the participant is permitted to move on to unrestricted training, practice or competition.
7. Record Progression
The Club shall make and keep a record of the participant’s progression through the graduated return-to-sport steps until the participant, or the participant’s parent or guardian, has provided a confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner to the designated person(s).