| Author | Message | ||
     Perry Papadopoulos Username: Ppapadopoulos Registered: 08-2003 |
Based on the CIAC 'Officials Concussion Protocol' If there are ANY concerns, I am confident that the officials are protected. Let's go thru the steps for managing a situation- There is an injury. We stop the game and the clock. We beckon the coach and/or trainer on the field. We have now provided the opportunity for them to properly check the player. We don't diagnose. Our job is done at this point. The head coach is responsible from this point on. IN THE CASE OF A PLAYER RETURNING -we are not responsible for the player's evaluation or management once the player has been checked and gone to the sideline. -If an appropriate health-care professional determines that the player does not have a concussion or symptoms of a concussion, the player may return to the game. ***We are to assume that this determination has been made*** -But THE OFFICIALS do not need written permission, nor do THE OFFICIALS verify the credentials of a trainer or health-care professional. -***THE HEAD COACH needs approval from a health-care professional for the return of the player, otherwise the player should not be allowed by the coach to return to the game.*** The risk of litigation and/or loss of coaching certificate is the coach's if the coach does not comply with his/her procedures and protocol for a player returning to the game. -If a head coach wants to return the player to the game, I would certainly ask him/her if he/she has abided by THEIR return to play procedure. -If the officials observe signs of symptoms again, then repeat procedure from the top. -The last sentence, 'CIAC will defer to the expertise of officials to handle the situation as you deem appropriate', refers to the suggested protocol because every situation may vary depending on the circumstances. IN SUMMARY for the return of a player with concussion symptoms- -WE DO NOT REQUIRE WRITTEN PERMISSION -WE DO NOT VERIFY CREDENTIALS OF A TRAINER, ETC... -THE COACH NEEDS THE APPROVAL OF A TRAINER OR HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONAL -IF THE PLAYER SHOWS SYMPTOMS, REMOVE THE PLAYER AGAIN |