This document is a summary of a training webinar for volunteer coaches on concussion identification, management and prevention. The webinar aims to increase coaches' awareness of concussions, teach them how to recognize signs and symptoms, and outline the proper response process. It discusses what a concussion is, common signs and symptoms, initial response steps, prevention strategies, and emphasizes that any suspected concussion requires removal from activity and informing teachers.

1. 1Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Concussion Identification
Management
and Prevention

2. 2Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Concussion
Identification
and Prevention
for Volunteer
Coaches

3. 3Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Purpose of Training Module
• to provide volunteer coaches with the information needed to
identify a suspected concussion
• to outline the process that is to be followed by volunteer
coaches in the event that a student is suspected of sustaining
a concussion

4. 4Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Learning Goals
Participants will:
• increase awareness of concussions (definition, signs and
symptoms) and the seriousness of concussions;
• become familiar with strategies for concussion prevention;
• learn how to recognize the symptoms of a suspected
concussion;
• be prepared to respond appropriately when a student has
sustained a suspected concussion

5. 5Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
What is a Concussion?
A concussion:
• is a brain injury that causes changes in how the brain
functions, leading to symptoms that can be physical
(e.g., headache, dizziness), cognitive (e.g., difficulty
concentrating or remembering), emotional/behavioural
(e.g., depression, irritability) and/or related to sleep
(e.g., drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep).

6. 6Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
What is a Concussion? cont’d.
A concussion:
• may be caused either by a direct blow to the head,
face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a
force to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly
within the skull;
• can occur even if there has been no loss of
consciousness (in fact most concussions occur without a
loss of consciousness); and,
• cannot normally be seen on X-rays, standard CT scans
or MRIs.

7. 7Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
• Teachers/volunteer coaches/intramural supervisors must
become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of
a concussion.
• Note… Only a Physician/Nurse Practitioner can diagnose a
concussion.
• But… Teachers/volunteer coaches/intramural supervisors
can recognize signs and symptoms of suspected concussion
and inform parents/guardians of the importance of
evaluation by a Physician/Nurse Practitioner.
Common Signs and Symptoms

8. 8Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Physical
SIGNS (OBSERVED)
• vomiting
• slurred speech
• lowed reaction time
• poor coordination or balance
• blank stare/glassy-eyed/dazed or
vacant look
• decreased playing ability
• loss of consciousness or lack of
responsiveness
• lying motionless on the ground or slow
to get up
• amnesia
• seizure or convulsion
• grabbing or clutching of head
Common Signs and Symptoms (con’t)
SYMPTOMS (REPORTED)
• headache
• pressure in head
• neck pain
• feeling off/not right
• ringing in the ears
• seeing double or blurry/loss of vision
• seeing stars, flashing lights
• pain at physical site of injury
• nausea/stomach ache/pain
• balance problems or dizziness
• fatigue or feeling tired
• sensitivity to light or noise

9. 9Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Cognitive
SIGNS (OBSERVED)
• difficulty concentrating
• easily distracted
• general confusion
• cannot remember things that
happened
• before and after the injury (see Quick
Memory Function Assessment)
• does not know time, date, place, class,
type
• of activity in which he/she was
participating
• slowed reaction time (e.g., answering
• questions or following directions)
Common Signs and Symptoms (con’t)
SYMPTOMS (REPORTED)
• difficulty concentrating or remembering
• slowed down, fatigue or low energy
• dazed or in a fog
Emotional/Behavioural
SYMPTOMS (REPORTED)
• irritable, sad, more emotional than
usual
• nervous, anxious, depressed
• strange or inappropriate emotions (e.g.,
laughing, crying, getting angry easily)

10. 10Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Initial Response – Suspected
Concussion
Student:
Receives a blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow
to the body that transmits a force to the head,
and as a result may have suffered a concussion

11. 11Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Identification:
Initial Response If Student is Unconscious
Call 911
Inform teacher in charge immediately

12. 12Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Remove student from activity
Inform teacher in charge immediately
Identification:
Initial Response If Student is Conscious

13. 13Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Concussion Prevention
“…there is evidence that education about concussion leads to
a reduction in the incidence of concussion and improved
outcomes from concussion…”
(Delaney, Lacroix, Leclerc, & Johnston, 2000;
Goodman & Gaetz, 2002; McCrea, Hammeke,
Olsen, Leo, & Guskiewicz, 2004).
.

14. 14Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Concussion Prevention Cont’d
Culture of Safety Mindedness
When planning and supervising activities a volunteer
coach should:
• be familiar with Board’s Concussion policy;
• review with students;
• background concussion information, and
• ways to minimize the risk of concussion while
participating in physical activities and sports.

15. 15Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Culture of Safety Mindedness
It is important to:
• Communicate with students the importance of
disclosing all injuries and symptoms
• Communicate the danger of not reporting symptoms
• Believe the student when they communicate their
symptoms
Concussion Prevention Cont’d

16. 16Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Prevention – Pre-Activity
Prior to physical activity and/or prior to the sport
season teachers/volunteer coaches/intramural
supervisors should:
•be knowledgeable of safe practices in the
sport/activity, (e.g., rules and regulations and
specific sport/activity pages in the Ophea Safety
Guidelines);
•Be familiar with risks of concussion/potential
injuries associated with the activity/sport and
ways to minimize those risks.

17. 17Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Prevention – During Activity
Strategies that should be used during a game, practice
or intramural activity:
•Teach skills and techniques in proper progression;
•Encourage students/athletes to follow rules of
play and to practice fair play.

18. 18Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Remove student from activity
Inform teacher in charge immediately
The Final Word:
If for any reason you suspect that a student
has sustained a concussion…

19. 19Concussion Training Webinar – June 2015
Questions?
• Website: safety.ophea.net
• Email: safety@ophea.net
Please click here to access the Proof of Volunteer Coach Concussion Training form
that must be completed and signed and submitted to the staff member in charge.