What happens if my child might have a concussion?

Ringette Canada's Concussion Protocol (adapted from the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, 2024) sets these steps.

Before the season: athletes and parents/guardians must review and sign the Pre-season Concussion Education Sheet and give it to the coach or team designate before the first practice.

On the ice: a concussion is suspected if there is an impact to the head, face, neck or body and the athlete shows signs or reports symptoms listed in the Concussion Recognition Tool 6. The athlete must be removed from the activity immediately and get a medical assessment as soon as possible. A youth athlete (under 18) with a suspected concussion must not return to the game or practice.

Red flags (loss of consciousness, convulsions, worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, neck pain): an ambulance should be called, the athlete should not be moved or left alone, and equipment should not be removed unless the person is formally trained. Parents or guardians are contacted immediately.

Diagnosis: the medical assessment is done by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner (scope varies by province; the protocol notes that in Quebec nurse practitioners cannot diagnose concussion). They give a Medical Assessment Letter. It is the athlete's or parent/guardian's responsibility to give that letter to the coach.

Return to sport: there are six steps, from rest, to light then moderate aerobic exercise, to individual skating drills (wearing a "No Contact" pinny), to non-contact team drills, to full-contact practice, to full games. The athlete spends at least 24 hours at each step. Before step 4 the athlete must finish any return-to-school steps and give the coach a Medical Clearance Letter. If symptoms return during steps 4 to 6, the athlete goes back to step 3 and needs medical clearance again.

School: students do not need to be symptom-free to return to school, and a complete absence of more than one week is not recommended.

Source: https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EN-RC-Concussion-Protocol.pdf (documents and forms: https://www.ringette.ca/safe-sport/concussions/)