There is increased awareness of concussions and their long-term effects, and the Club believes that prevention of concussions is paramount to protecting the health and safety of Participants.
- The following observable signs may indicate a possible concussion
- Lying motionless on the playing surface
- Slow to get up after a direct or indirect hit to the head
- Disorientation or confusion / inability to respond appropriately to questions
- Blank or vacant look
- Balance or gait difficulties, absence of regular motor coordination, stumbling, slow laboured movements
- Facial injury after head trauma
- A concussion may result in the following symptoms:
- Headache or “pressure in head”
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness, fatigue, or low energy
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- More emotional or irritable
- “Don’t feel right”
- Sadness, nervousness, or anxiousness
- Neck pain
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating
- Feeling slowed down or “in a fog”
- Failure to correctly answer any of these memory questions may suggest a concussion:
- What venue are we at today?
- What day is it?
- What event are you participating in?
- If a Participant demonstrates or reports any of the following red flags, an ambulance should be called immediately:
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling / burning in arms or legs
- Severe or increasing headache
- Seizure or convulsion
- Loss of consciousness
- Deteriorating conscious state
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasingly restless, agitated, or combative
- Increased confusion.
- Participants who have a suspected concussion should:
- Seek attention from a qualified medical professional
- Be isolated in a dark room or area and stimulus should be reduced
- Be monitored
- Have any cognitive, emotional, or physical changes documented
- Not be left alone (at least for the first 1-2 hours following the occurrence of the Suspected Concussion)
- Not drink alcohol
- Not use recreational/prescription drugs
- Not be sent home by themselves
- Not drive a motor vehicle until cleared to do so by a medical professional
Adopted from guidelines provided by Curling Canada.