Look after yourself and be aware of this injury.

1. Introduction

1. A concussion is a serious injury and may occur to any person at an Adelaide Dodgeball event.

2. All head injuries in all instances should be treated by a qualified first aid officer who will also notify the AD Management Team.

3. All head injuries will be referred to a medical practitioner for further assessment and treatment management. This includes: 

   • Any player or participant that has lost consciousness.

   • Any player or participant that has suffered memory loss.

   • Any player or participant who has been dazed or confused even if only for a short period of time.

   • Any player or participant who has suffered a head injury at an Adelaide Dodgeball event must leave the field of play immediately and not return until full clearance has been provided by a medical practitioner. 

4. This clearance is required to be provided in writing and submitted to an Adelaide Dodgeball Manager, Coach or Owner. Without such clearance that has been reviewed by Management, the player or participant will not be able to play or train in Dodgeball.

 
2. Definition

1. A concussion is a brain injury and is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces.

2. Concussion refers to a disturbance in brain function caused by a direct or indirect force on the head. The effect concussion can have on a participant can vary from person to person and injury to injury. Usually, the changes are temporary and the majority of participants recover completely if managed correctly. A concussion is a relatively common injury in many sports and recreational activities. 

3. The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards and guidelines regarding the management of concussion at Adelaide Dodgeball

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3. Recognising the Injury

1. Immediate visual indicators of concussion include: 

   • Loss of consciousness or responsiveness; 

   • Lying motionless on the ground/slow to get up; 

   • A dazed, blank or vacant expression; 

   • Appearing unsteady on feet, balance problems or falling over; 

   • Grabbing or clutching of the head; 

   • Impact seizure or convulsion. 

2. Concussion can include one or more of the following symptoms: 

   • Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, “feeling in a fog”; 

   • Behavioural changes: Inappropriate emotions, irritability, feeling nervous or anxious. 

   • Cognitive impairment: Slowed reaction times, confusion/disorientation not aware of location or score, poor attention and concentration, loss of memory for events up to and/or after the concussion.

 

4. Remove from Play

1. Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from play, and should not be returned to activity until they are assessed by a qualified medical practitioner. 

2. Players with a suspected concussion should not be left alone and should not drive a motor vehicle. Only qualified medical practitioners should diagnose whether a concussion has occurred, or provide advice as to whether the player can return to play. There should be no return to play on the day of a concussive injury.

 

5. Medical Assessment 

1. A qualified Medical Practitioner should: 

   • Diagnose whether a concussion has occurred – based on clinical judgement;

   • Advise the player of any medical management; 

   • Advise the player as to when it is appropriate to begin a Graduated Return to Play Program (Annexure 1 to these Guidelines). 

   • Clear the player to return to play following the Graduated RTP program. 

 

6. Return to Play

1. Following clearance from a qualified Medical Practitioner for the player to return to play, the player should progress through a Graduated Return To Play Program (see Annexure 1 to these Guidelines). 

2. In all cases, the Graduated Return To Play Program provides for a minimum of 6 days before the player can play a competitive game. 

 

7. Resources
Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: The 5 th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Berlin, October 2016 (McCrory et al), found here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/11/838 
Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool, found here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/267.full.pdf  
SCAT 5 – Sport Concussion Assessment Tool – 5 th Edition, found here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/51/11/851.full.pdf 
Concussion in Sport - Sport Australia, found here: https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/
Concussion Management Online Training - Sport Australia, found here: http://static.ausport.gov.au/concussion_in_sport/online_training/coaches_support_staff/story_html5.html?lms=1 
Sports Concussion and Head Trauma - Clearinghouse for Sport, found here: https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/kb/sports-concussion-and-head-trauma 
Concussion in Sport - Brain Injury Australia, found here: https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/education-campaigns/concussion-in-sport/ 
Graduated Return to Play Protocol (Annexure 1 to these Guidelines)

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Annexure 1 - Graduated Return To Play Program

Reference: Medical Practitioner Guidelines for Return to Sport - Sport Australia