Concussions

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About 2 weeks ago, my oldest dd received a concussion sliding into 3rd on a bang-bang play. No fault to 3rd basemen as she swiped and got my dd on the head causing her head to hit the turf. Like I said, bang-bang and no fault, but got me thinking. The issue is she continued to play. I wasn't there as my youngest had practice so I had no clue how hard she truly hit it.

should volunteers and coaches be required to take some form of training to learn the early signs of concussions? With the talk and preventative steps that are being taken, what do you think?

 

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They definitely should have some type of training: CPR, first aid and concussion symptoms.

 

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I like this topic... I've been through CPR training at work several times since when they offered it back in high school. Should be apart of a team's 'management' just like a many other things we train/prepare for. If a program or procedure exists, I'd be interested in adding this to my book of things to look for. Personally having many concussions growing up I know my parents indicator after dilated eyes was vomiting and vision loss.

 

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Free Course on concussions - NFHS Learning Center

 

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The reason why I'm posting this...I emailed one of the "coaches" for the high school team. I won't mention the venue where we are playing and stuff like that. I also won't mention his occupation. I asked him about the play and he said he saw nothing out of the normal and the way my dd acts. So they continued to play her (which as we know is something your not suppose to do). She had the Colt McCoy syndrome (and I'm a Colt fan). Quick backgorund on oldest dd:

Ok, she's a bit goofy without the concussion. But with her limited travel playing time (thanks to Ohio Power and Buckeye Heat 95) and all of her ball playing, she's only been picked off twice and that was by Doom 96 at Dayton Metro a couple years ago for CGS and Buckeye Heat. She has head first slid, and jumped over catchers in high school games, so she's a beast (reckless as some would think). Home to first was 2.8.

So, back to the concussion. She gets back home and tells me about the hit when we get home. I asked her about some of the normal things for early possible symptoms thanks to the web, which she had. At the school the next day, she goes she's the trainer and takes her concussion test and she failed big time according to her baseline. I alerted the both "coaches" and one by the way is a travel coach for a select team (but as of this year no longer doing it). That has me a bit worried for the almighty trophy and now wondering do travel coaches and volunteer coaches for high school teams at this time even know the first signs of a concussion?

 

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The reason why I'm posting this...I emailed one of the "coaches" for the high school team. I won't mention the venue where we are playing and stuff like that. I also won't mention his occupation. I asked him about the play and he said he saw nothing out of the normal and the way my dd acts. So they continued to play her (which as we know is something your not suppose to do). She had the Colt McCoy syndrome (and I'm a Colt fan). Quick backgorund on oldest dd:

Ok, she's a bit goofy without the concussion. But with her limited travel playing time (thanks to Ohio Power and Buckeye Heat 95) and all of her ball playing, she's only been picked off twice and that was by Doom 96 at Dayton Metro a couple years ago for CGS and Buckeye Heat. She has head first slid, and jumped over catchers in high school games, so she's a beast (reckless as some would think). Home to first was 2.8.

So, back to the concussion. She gets back home and tells me about the hit when we get home. I asked her about some of the normal things for early possible symptoms thanks to the web, which she had. At the school the next day, she goes she's the trainer and takes her concussion test and she failed big time according to her baseline. I alerted the both "coaches" and one by the way is a travel coach for a select team (but as of this year no longer doing it). That has me a bit worried for the almighty trophy and now wondering do travel coaches and volunteer coaches for high school teams at this time even know the first signs of a concussion?

Were was mom when this happened? If mom couldn't tell a difference, how can the coach have this responsibility. Just saying... Sports does not exempt a parent from being a parent. Go check your kid out. By the way, dd had the exact same thing happen. She was out for 4 month before she was released by doctor. Pass the Concussion Test after 3 weeks, but continues to have signs, sickness, vomiting, etc.

 

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One of the girls on my dd's travel team just got a concussion a week ago. According to reports a girl in her basketball game fell on her head full force. She's been out for a week and I'm assuming more. When she went down w/ the girl landing on her i was told she was removed from the game for fear of a concussion. I would sure hope that coaches would put the health of their players above trophys and championships.

 

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To coach for the school you have to have CPR and I know at our school we are given extra information on head injuries. We have a form that needs to be filled out after such an incident. The player isn't allowed to participate again until they have been cleared by the trainer or a doctor.

 

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Head trauma is as much as a factor in ladies sports as in male sports. So, I think all coaches should have basic first aid, CPR and have a good understanding of how sport related injuries occur and the best prevention methods for them to use.

Players just diving for balls, sliding, hard tags, catchers getting hit with foul balls, batters hit by pitched balls etc can cause head trauma.

Parents need to understand the coaches are not MDs.. With that being said, even if there was additional training for coaches if one thinks a head trauma test needs to be preformed "at that point" the athlete needs to be removed from the competition...

"If' the athlete responds favorably to the point there is "no doubt they are ok" then they should be allowed to continue but, if there is 'any doubt' shut them down... they have a lot of time to play so there is no need to risk potential long term injury for one game or tournament...

 

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Were was mom when this happened?

I'm a single father who is raising his 2 girls by himself and please leave it at that. Very touchy subject and those who truly know me know this situation. It's already bad enough I miss my older dd's games for my younger dd when she has commitments. But you're all good since you don't know the situation.

Coachdennis, I'm not expecting a coach to be an MD. But if some coaches demand girls wear facemasks for pitching, then they also have an idea of basic symptoms of a concussion are. I would rather the coach err on caution then go with the "she didn't seem any different". Look at Colt McCoy, he went back in with a concussion and he didn't show any symptoms right away. Then he doesn't remember getting home?

If my older dd had her license along with her own car then had a car accident for an undiagnosed concussion, what does that say? But this is why I opened up with this, hoping to get some good discussion here.

 

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I'm"]I'm a single father who is raising his 2 girls by himself and please leave it at that. Very touchy subject and those who truly know me know this situation. It's already bad enough I miss my older dd's games for my younger dd when she has commitments. But you're all good since you don't know the situation.

Coachdennis, I'm not expecting a coach to be an MD. But if some coaches demand girls wear facemasks for pitching, then they also have an idea of basic symptoms of a concussion are. I would rather the coach err on caution then go with the "she didn't seem any different". Look at Colt McCoy, he went back in with a concussion and he didn't show any symptoms right away. Then he doesn't remember getting home?

If my older dd had her license along with her own car then had a car accident for an undiagnosed concussion, what does that say? But this is why I opened up with this, hoping to get some good discussion here.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you on the better to err on the side of caution. Not so much with the link of a coach demanding the wearing of facemask and them having an understanding of concussions.

Head trauma is not just limited to players. I have seen coaches and umpires exhibit symptoms. We had an umpire last year hit with a foul ball on the first pitch of the game. Walked it off then started the game back up... without his facemask.... Check out the link to the second pitch of the game....

http://youtu.be/jKLJk3u5_zM

 

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We are pretty lucky, I am CPR and first aid certified and one of my assistant coach's is a doctor. If we thought any player was acting different after getting a bang on the head, we would not let them continue playing. Unfortunately, you can't always tell by just looking at them whether or not they have a concusson...not everyone exhibits the obvious signs. We'd certainly do our best to assess the situation and do what is best for the player.

 

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Again, if a pro staff couldn't detect a problem with Colt McCoy, you can understand how a volunteer coaching staff could miss the signs. Concerned is a good word here but personally I'm not sure what you want by this thread. Next, it doesn't need to be a fall on the head from great heights or have a girl fall on you like a pro wrestler, or worse get hit by a ball bat. You catch a kid behind the ear or on the temple with a tag and that might be lights out to some.

Training and enlighten the staff of the injury and hope it never happens is all anyone can do. As mentioned, this was a bang bang play of no intention. Baserunners are supposed to have helmets on but things still happen. Be a good sport and offer to pay for the staff to get CPR training with focus on head trauma. Perhaps attend the class yourself and encourage other parents to join you.

Personally, I have the training and felt I had a responsibility to learn this stuff if I am going to be responsible for other's kids. This wasn't a requirement but a personal decision. Remember, the staff is not getting paid, they are volunteers. Pick another organization to play for that can show you they have the training or help with the cost if your local volunteer is willing to give up even more of their time to get the training.

 

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About 2 weeks ago, my oldest dd received a concussion sliding into 3rd on a bang-bang play. No fault to 3rd basemen as she swiped and got my dd on the head causing her head to hit the turf. Like I said, bang-bang and no fault, but got me thinking. The issue is she continued to play. I wasn't there as my youngest had practice so I had no clue how hard she truly hit it.

should volunteers and coaches be required to take some form of training to learn the early signs of concussions? With the talk and preventative steps that are being taken, what do you think?

John,at the state high school clinics they offered a 3 hour clinic on sports injuries and half of it was on concussions and early signs,very informative as i have 1 player going through what was called mild but the symptoms returned after a week off.Be very careful with these they take some time.

 

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Daboss, the idea of this thread was discussion. Other view points and possible ideas. If you knew my dd, you would never tell she had a concussion, she's a goof without one.

Bill, thanks....I'll have to remember that.

 

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Attached are two course that my High School requires for all coaches each year. One on Concussions and the other on Sudden Cardiac. The other is an additional concussion course. The first concussion course is offered by the CDC and neither is restricted as to who can take it. SO..... if you are a coach do at least this course. Since concussions can occur from any trauma and the symptoms present over hours; be an informed parent and don't relay on a volunteer coach or even a paid one. If you are a parent do the course.

If your school has base lines; they are available to your players regardless of where the injury happened and are very useful in determining if a concussion occurred and when it is safe to return to play. A concussion event may not be obvious and symptoms may not present for hours. An early one is change of behavior. Who better than her parents to recognize a problem early.

Do the couses, be responsible, be informed and don't rely others; heck it's your kid.

Concussion Course
CDC - Heads Up Youth Sports - Concussion - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center

Sudden Cardiac Course
CardiacWise-PATS | Sport Safety International

Optional Concussion Course
Heads Up Concussion

 

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Attached are two course that my High School requires for all coaches each year. One on Concussions and the other on Sudden Cardiac. The other is an additional concussion course. The first concussion course is offered by the CDC and neither is restricted as to who can take it. SO..... if you are a coach do at least this course. Since concussions can occur from any trauma and the symptoms present over hours; be an informed parent and don't relay on a volunteer coach or even a paid one. If you are a parent do the course.

If your school has base lines; they are available to your players regardless of where the injury happened and are very useful in determining if a concussion occurred and when it is safe to return to play. A concussion event may not be obvious and symptoms may not present for hours. An early one is change of behavior. Who better than her parents to recognize a problem early.

Do the couses, be responsible, be informed and don't rely others; heck it's your kid.

Concussion Course
CDC - Heads Up Youth Sports - Concussion - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center

Sudden Cardiac Course
CardiacWise-PATS | Sport Safety International

Optional Concussion Course
Heads Up Concussion

Great info....thanks for posting. We have the same thing you mentioned at out HS about baseline testing as well. After my oldest told me of her symptoms and me researching, I told her to take it. Good thing she listened.

 

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I found the video with the umpire that was hit with the first pitch of the game from a foul ball and updated post #11.

After five minutes of collecting his thoughts he restarted the game without his head gear... You can see from the video he was still dazed and did not realize he was almost hit again without his mask until the coaches from both teams started yelling to stop play... Heat may have played a part but he was defiantly effected by the hit and not the same as he was at the pre-game conference...

 

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On the concussion issue, there are times "signs" do not manifest themselves for even days later. They do NOT always occur immediatly. My son (only 7) has suffered from 2 now. Both simple incidents. (hit in head with basketball, and fell off the couch backwards). After falling off couch, didn't cry. 4 hours later acted completely drunk and started vomitting. We spend a few days in ICU at Childrens.
We have both (husband and I) now are much more careful with all our kids as well as any players in any sport we are involved in. Not all are major, but not all are minor either. It really makes you stop and think.
When it comes to our kids (wether by birth or just our responsibility as coaches) we need to be the ones that educate ourselves.

 

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NFL Looks to Helmet Technology to Combat Concussions