Our first contribution comes from a hockey dad who also happens to be a physician by day. He sends in this link on concussions from stopsportsinjuries.org:
As shown here, the coach plays a crucial role in identifying possible concussion cases in games and practices. USA Hockey has incorporated training on the 'sideline evaluation' into coaching certifications. However, I feel that all of us involved with youth hockey must play a role in identifying concussions and taking steps to prevent them.
I took my son to watch one of the U16 games at the AAA tournament hosted by the Fury this weekend. The game was already in the second period when we arrived. Upon walking in the door from the lobby to the rink, we were greeted by a booming check in the corner of the rink right in front of us. We both looked at each other and said 'Whoa'. My son appeared to be taken aback by this, so I asked him "Are you sure you want to play hockey?" implying when he was that age. He didn't hesitate of course, but as a parent I always worry about what could happen on the ice.
A member of my family sustained a concussion playing high school lacrosse last spring. No one evaluated him at the time of his injury, and he finished the game. The next day at school he started to get very confused, had difficulty with his vision, and he had no recollection of the end of the game. After a doctor diagnosed his concussion, he spent the next week at home not having very much fun. Video games, reading, watching TV ... all of it gave him headaches. He basically had to just sit there doing nothing. If you know any active teenage boys, you can imagine the torture he went through.
A concussion sustained at a young age can end your daughter or son's hockey career prematurely. Worse, second impact syndrome could end their life. So arm yourself with a bit of knowledge this hockey season.
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