Preventing Concussions

Second Impact Syndrome happens if you get a second concussion before your brain recovers from the first one. It can cause rapid and severe swelling of your brain. It can happen in hours, days or weeks.

Give your brain enough time to heal and follow these guidelines for returning to physical activity after a concussion only when your doctor says it is okay.

Second Impact Syndrome can also:

• Slow your recovery time.
• Increase the possibility that you will have long-term problems.
• Cause you to have permanent brain damage or even death.

Your child's brain needs time to heal from the injury. If your child is still having symptoms they are not ready to return to school or physical activity. Their symptoms can last for 7 to 10 days, or for weeks or months.

When your doctor says it is safe to return to school and physical activity, talk to your child's school about the returning to school after concussion guidelines.

After you have completed the return to school steps, follow the six steps to for returning to physical activity:

1. No mental and physical activity. Rest until you are symptom-free.
2. Light aerobic activity like walking or stationary cycling.
3. Sport-specific activity like skating or running.
4. Training drills without body contact.
5. Training drills with body contact once cleared by a doctor.
6. Game play.

• Tell your children they must report any type of head injury right away to a coach, parent or other adult.
• Teach your children to play fair and follow the game rules.
• Check to make sure your child's protective gear is right for the sport being played and that all gear fits properly.
• Teach your children respect for other players and coaches.

• Players will not be allowed to play and must see a doctor immediately if they have a possible concussion.
• Players must tell an adult right away if they think they have a head injury.
• Players with a concussion will need to be cleared by a doctor to return to play and must follow the steps given by the doctor.
• Players must show respect for other players and coaches at all times.
• Parents and players should know the signs and symptoms of concussions.
• A player's gear must fit properly and meet safety standards for the sport.
• Have the concussion guidelines for coaches with you at games and practices.
• Help players to develop their skills and ensure that they play within their abilities.
• Talk about safety practices with players, such as avoiding aggressive behaviour and playing fair.
• Follow the return to play guidelines for players who have had a concussion. Children are only safe to return after a doctor says so.