Pacific District Concussion Information Page

Concussion Protocol Webinar

What is a Concussion Champion?

A Concussion Champion is a member of an affiliate who has had a concussion experience that has impacted their life, and is willing to be a resource for others.

Concussion Champions are:

  • Someone who will share their story to inspire and educate others…….
  • Both successful stories of full recovery and full return to participation, and stories of concussions with lifelong effects and rehabilitation;
  • Someone who is willing to be a resource / support for athletes within their affiliate diagnosed with a concussion, through the recovery process;
  • Someone who will educate coaches on how to talk to their players about concussions, and educate players about how to recognize concussion symptoms;
  • Someone who can stress the importance of the USAH and Pacific District Protocol: Why removal from play for evaluation, and a full recovery prior to return to play are so important (and it’s also the law in every state).
  • A parent of a player with a concussion story that is willing to be a resource for other parents.

Interested in becoming a Concussion Champion? Click on the link below for the application:

Meet the Pacific District’s first two Concussion Champions!

In April 2018, USA Hockey implemented a concussion protocol acknowledgement to its annual member registration

During online registration, each member is now required to acknowledge the concussion protocol prior to completing the registration process.

Changes to the Pacific District Concussion Program effective 2018-19 season

As part of the national concussion protocol, USA Hockey has instituted a required signature acknowledgement at the time of membership registration for all participants. Due to this welcome development, Pacific District affiliates will no longer need to collect signed copies of the Parent and Coach Concussion Acknowledgement Forms.

In addition, the Pacific District has a Statement of Protocol in place, and every state has concussion legislation that must be implemented and followed. Where more stringent, the District protocol will be followed.

Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol

Statement of Protocol: When concussive activity is suspected, an athlete will be removed from participation until he/she can be evaluated by a medical professional trained in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, then cleared to safely return to participation.

  • USA Hockey requires this signed acknowledgement at the time of registration for all members: Parents, athletes, coaches, volunteers, administrators and officials.

The Pacific District Concussion Protocol includes the additional terms and conditions:

  • An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury shall be immediately removed from participation for the remainder of the day. Removal can be at the request of a coach, official, team manager, parent/guardian, program administrator, onsite EMT/ATC or the athlete. The one-day rule is Pacific District Protocol and supersedes any state legislation allowing same day return to participation.
  • An athlete removed from participation for evaluation shall not be permitted to return to participation until evaluated and released by an appropriate medical professional (trained in the management of concussions, and acting within the scope of his/her practice). A written release or medical clearance must be provided to the team manager prior to return to participation.
  • If a concussion is diagnosed and concussion management protocol has been enacted for an athlete, there is no review period or negotiation as to the course of action and return to participation outside of the recommendations of the evaluating medical professional who has been selected to treat the athlete, in conjunction with the District protocol, national acknowledgement and applicable state laws.

State Legislation will define the following terms, conditions and criteria:

  • Length of removal from participation if a concussion is diagnosed
  • Appropriate medical professional designations/licensure to diagnose, treat, and release a suspected concussed athlete
  • State legislation may only apply to school sports in some affiliates. The national and District Protocol are in place and followed in all Pacific District affiliates.
  • Additional forms, signatures and education required by state law for any member: Athlete, parent, coach, manager, trainer, administrator, volunteer, official or other.

Concussion legislation is state-specific. Each state has different, additional criteria as outlined below:

Alaska

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in Alaska:

  • Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation. In Alaska, this Protocol in entirety is the base policy for all ASHA members, of any age, participating at any level.
  • Legislative requirements (Alaska House Bill 15 [2011], AS §§ 14.30.142 and 14.30.143): In Alaska, the legislative requirements for student and youth athletes is consistent with the national acknowledgement and the Pacific District protocol. Where more stringent, the District protocol will be followed.

California

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in California:

  • Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation.
  • Legislative requirements (State of CA Health and Safety Code 124235):
    • Parent education and acknowledgement: Met by the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Coach education and acknowledgement: Met by the Coaching Education Program in tandem with the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Association Administrator education and acknowledgement (all volunteers, locker room monitors, Board members, anyone serving a role in the organization): These participants should all be registered members of USA Hockey (as volunteers). Every volunteer should have a USA Hockey membership number. If they do, then the USA Hockey acknowledgement covers this requirement. If they do not, then the organization is responsible for providing them with education and obtaining a signed acknowledgement (available on the Pacific District Website).
    • Athlete Education: All athletes are required to receive concussion education ANNUALLY and acknowledge it with a signature prior to the start of participation. There are forms available on the Pacific District Website (under Educational Materials) for athletes of all ages that can easily be printed, distributed, signed and returned. The Club (not the team) must keep these signed forms in the athlete’s files for the duration of that season.

Nevada

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in Nevada:

  • Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation.
  • Legislative requirements (N.R.S. 386.435, 392.452, 455A.200 and NAC 386.832N.R.S. 386.435, 392.452, 455A.200 and NAC 386.832):
    • Parent education and acknowledgement: Met by the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Coach education and acknowledgement: Met by the Coaching Education Program in tandem with the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Athlete Education: All athletes are required to receive concussion education ANNUALLY and acknowledge it with a signature prior to the start of participation. There are forms available on the Pacific District Website (under Educational Materials) for athletes of all ages that can easily be printed, distributed, signed and returned. The Club (not the team) must keep these signed forms in the athlete’s files for the duration of that season.

Oregon

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in Oregon:

  • Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation.
  • Legislative requirements:
    • Parent education and acknowledgement: Met by the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Coach education and acknowledgement: Met by the Coaching Education Program in tandem with the USA Hockey acknowledgement
    • Referee/Official education and acknowledgement: Oregon is the only state in the Pacific District with this requirement. The USA Hockey acknowledgement covers this requirement in tandem with the education provided by the OSHA Officials Organization. OSHA leadership should ensure that the education provided to the Officials is in line with Oregon Senate Bill 721.
    • Athlete Education: All athletes are required to receive concussion education ANNUALLY and acknowledge it with a signature prior to the start of participation. There are forms available on the Pacific District Website (under Educational Materials) for athletes of all ages that can easily be printed, distributed, signed and returned. The organization (not the team) must keep these signed forms in the athlete’s files for the duration of that season.

Washington

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in Washington:

  • Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation. In Washington, this Protocol in entirety is the base policy for all PNAHA members, of any age, participating at any level.
  • Legislative requirements (RCW 28A.600.190; HB 1824): In Washington, the legislative requirements primarily mention school districts and school facilities, but do apply to all youth and student athletes.

For questions or more information, contact: [email protected]