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Announcement

September 26, 2019

Memo: Rowan's Law Concussion Management Protocol at Competitions

Memo

DATE: Thursday, September 26, 2019

TO: Club Presidents, Head Coaches, Meet Managers and Level 4/5 Officials

RE: Rowan’s Law – Concussion Management Protocol at competitions

Swim Ontario takes the health and well-being of all participants in sport and recreation activities very seriously and is committed to helping all in the Swim Ontario family succeed in swimming and other activities.

The Rowan’s Law Regulations came into effect on July 1, 2019. Parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and swimmers all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all participants at sanctioned competitions in Ontario.

Effective immediately, Swim Ontario is implementing procedures and protocols to manage possible concussions at sanctioned competitions in Ontario. This is the first step in a “living- process” that will continue to evolve over time as more information is circulated and best practices are established throughout the Ontario sporting community.

We must create an environment that encourages and motivates participants to assume responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Coaches, meet managers and competition coordinators are required to confirm they have reviewed Ontario Concussion Awareness Resources with Swim Ontario.

A concussion is a serious injury. While the effects are typically short-term, a concussion can lead to long-lasting symptoms and even long-term effects.

There are many signs and symptoms of a concussion to look out for, including but not limited to:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • ringing in the ears
  • memory loss
  • light sensitivity
  • drowsiness
  • depression

The following procedures shall be established for all sanctioned competitions:

  1. Meet managers shall establish a concussion awareness/management protocol with their host facility staff that includes keeping the Competition Coordinator informed when someone seeks first aid treatment for a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body.
  2. Meet Managers shall post the Signs of a Concussion Poster with the Swimming Canada Warm-up Safety Procedures. It is also recommended to post where results are located.
  3. All meet packages (excluding Class II time trials and In House competitions) shall include the following statement:

Rowan’s Law – Concussion Management

The Rowan’s Law requirements came into effect on July 1, 2019. Swim Ontario takes the health and well-being of all participants in sport and recreation activities very seriously and is committed to helping all in the Swim Ontario family succeed in swimming and other activities. Parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and swimmers all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all participants at sanctioned competitions in Ontario. We must create an environment that encourages and motivates participants to assume responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

Until further protocols or procedures are in place, the concussion management protocol will take effect for all participants at a Swim Ontario sanctioned competition that are involved in an incident resulting in a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body. If symptoms of a possible concussion are present the participant shall be removed from any further Swim Ontario sanctioned activity until they receive Swim Ontario approval upon clearance, in writing, by a medical professional with experience in concussion treatment/protocols. For full details and resources on Rowan’s Law and Concussion management protocols click HERE.

4. Until further protocols or procedures are in place, the concussion management protocol will take effect for all participants at a Swim Ontario sanctioned competition that are involved in an incident resulting in a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body.

Concussion Management Protocol

  1. The participant will be removed from the activity until assessed for possible concussion symptoms by a host facility certified first aid provider (i.e. lifeguard, pool supervisor).
    1. TheCompetitionCoordinatorshallbeinformedimmediatelyandshallsubmita report of the incident/injury to Swim Ontario within 24 hours of the incident/injury
    2. IfsymptomsareNOTpresenttheparticipantmayreturntotheactivity.
    3. If symptoms are present or develop after return to the activity, the participant
      shall be removed from any further Swim Ontario sanctioned activity for the remainder of the day and only return to play once they receive Swim Ontario approval.
      1. Host Facility staff and/or the Competition Coordinator have the authority to remove the participant from further participation at that competition
      2. If symptoms develop after return to activity, the Competition Coordinator shall be informed immediately.
  2. Clearance document submitted to Swim Ontario, in writing, by a medical professional with experience in concussion treatment/protocols is necessary to receive Swim Ontario approval.
  3. An acceptable clearance document for return to Swim Ontario sanctioned activity would be legibly written on appropriate signed letterhead or a similar signed prescription note pad.
  4. Swim Ontario approval will only be given by the Swim Ontario C.O.O. or designate once all of the appropriate documentation is received and subsequently satisfactorily reviewed.
  5. As per the Swimming Canada Concussion Management resource, participants with concussion symptoms shall not be cleared for return to participation on the same day.

Questions related to these procedures can be directed to Darin Muma darin@swimontario.com or Nicole Parent nicole@swimontario.com

Resources