Concussion Center - St. Croix Valley Athletic Association

SCVAA Concussion Resource Center

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a new bill into law on June 8, 2011 that now requires all coaches to sideline athletes who show signs of a concussion. Those athletes cannot return to the field until they get clearance by a state licensed MEDICAL health care provider. Minnesota now joins 20 states with similar laws taking effect.

The law takes effect September 1, 2011

- This applies to all players, in all sports, under the age of 18 and applies to ALL youth sports organizations both PUBLIC and PRIVATE.

Link to MN. Concussion Law Summary.

- The law also requires that parents have access to information on the risks and symptoms of concussions and coaches must have training on concussions once every 3 years.

Coaches, please use the following link to take the required, free, quick, online concussion training session and print out the completion certificate. All Coaches are required to carry a current copy of their completion certificate with them while coaching.

http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html

SYMPTOMS

Here is a quick review of concussion symptoms:

Confusion, foggy/groggy feeling, sluggish

Dizzy, poor balance

Sensitivity to noise or light, blurry vision

Headache, feeling of pressure

Poor memory: can’t remember what they ate earlier that day, the score of the game, what happened, etc.

Poor coordination and concentration

Nausea /vomiting

Everyone is different and symptoms can be very subtle. Being knocked UNCONSCIOUS is not a requirement and a “ding” can very well result in a concussion, especially for young athletes and athletes who have had previous head injuries.

SIGNS OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

HEADACHES THAT WORSEN

REPEATED VOMITING

SEVERE NECK PAIN

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS OR UNABLE TO BE AWAKENED EASILY

SEIZURES

INCREASING IRRITABILITY

WEAKNESS / NUMBNESS IN ARMS OR LEGS

UNABLE TO RECOGNIZE FAMILIAR FACES/THINGS

Additional Concussion Information and Resource Materials

http://www.sportsconcussions.org/laws-minnesota.html

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html