Concussion management procedures for practice and competition
Parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and swimmers all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all participants at Swim Ontario activities. Swim Ontario has implemented procedures and protocols to manage possible concussions at all approved including practices and 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.
Parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and swimmers all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all participants at sanctioned competitions in Ontario.
Swim Ontario has implemented procedures and protocols to manage possible concussions at sanctioned competitions in Ontario.
Swim Ontario Concussion Management Procedure
Swimming Canada Concussions Management Resources
If a concussion is suspected, Swim Ontario registrants must adhere to the Swim Ontario Concussion Management Procedure. (and the Rowan’s Law requirements). According to Rowan’s Law, responsibility rests with each athlete, their caregivers, and their training program provider(s) to ensure that there is no training or playing, including other sports, until medically cleared to do so, by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.
The Rowan’s Law Regulations came into effect on July 1, 2019 in Ontario and is mandatory for all sports organizations. As part of registration, all swimmers and families under the age of 26, all coaches and officials Level 3 and higher must have read and agreed to the Rowan’s Law resources and declaration.
More information on Rowan’s Law can be found HERE.
The Coaches Association of Canada has a Making Head Way in Sport concussion eLearning series available for coaches to access for free in The Locker. There are six different modules available and certified coaches will receive five professional development points for completing them.
All injuries or illness need to be reported to the athlete’s training program provider(s). Outside of the Concussion Management Procedure, each injury/illness is managed on a case-by-case basis. The athlete’s health care providers are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment and management of the athletes’ medical and psychological problems including communicating the required recovery and return to play protocols to the athlete, athlete’s caregivers and coach.