HEALTH & WELLNESS
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CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
POLICIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CONCUSSION AND HEAD INJURY IN YOUTH SPORTS:
An act relating to requiring the adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports; amending RCW 4.24.660 and adding a new section to chapter 28A.600 RCW.
Each school district’s board of directors shall work in concert with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to develop the guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parent(s)/guardian(s) of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury. On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the youth athlete and the athlete’s parent and/or guardian prior to the youth athlete’s initiating practice or competition.
A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time. A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.
CONCUSSION TRAINING VIDEO
This video was made possible by Harborview Medical Center and The University of Washington.
sideline assessment for suspected concussion
sudden cardiac ARREST requirement (sb 5083)
PRCW 28A.600: The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) shall work with member schools’ board of directors, a nonprofit organization that educates communities about sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes, and the University of Washington medicine center for sports cardiology to develop and make available an online pamphlet that provides youth athletes, their parents or guardians, and coaches with information about sudden cardiac arrest. The online pamphlet must include information on the nature, risk, symptoms and warning signs, prevention, and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. The online pamphlet shall be posted on the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s website. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) shall work with member schools’ board of directors, an organization that provides educational training for safe participation in athletic activity, and the University of Washington medicine center for sports cardiology to make available an existing online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program for coaches. On a yearly basis, prior to participating in an interscholastic athletic activity a sudden cardiac arrest form stating that the online pamphlet was reviewed shall be signed by the youth athlete and the athlete’s parents and/or guardian and returned to the school. Every three years, prior to coaching an interscholastic athletic activity coaches shall complete the online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program described in this section. Coaches shall provide a certificate showing completion of the online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program to the school.
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST RESOURCES
recognition and management of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes
heat index calculator
HEAT INDEX POLICY
When the Heat Index meets or exceeds 70°F it is recommended that all schools provide at any practice or event, a method for rapidly cooling athletes experiencing heat illness. Approved methods include ice water immersion or tarp assisted cooling with oscillation (TACO). Schools shall monitor the heat index for their geographic area prior to practices. Outlined below are the steps that each member school shall take in order to implement this policy.
NOTE: This policy applies to all WIAA sanctioned sports and activities in all seasons. Indoor activities where air conditioning is available are not bound by this policy.
- DESIGNATE: Schools shall designate someone who will take the necessary steps to determine and record the heat index for your geographic area within one hour of the start of each team’s practice and events. This is only necessary on days when the forecasted heat index is 85°F or higher. Depending on practice and event schedules, it is possible that the designated person will have to record the Heat Index multiple times on the same day.
- CALCULATE: Within one hour of each team’s practice on days when the forecasted heat index is 85°F or higher, the designated person shall utilize the WIAA Heat Index Calculator to determine the actual heat index.
- RECORD: If the actual heat index is 85°F or higher, the designated person shall record it using the WIAA Heat Index Record or by printing out a copy to be kept at the school for inspection at the request of the WIAA. A separate record shall be kept for each sport at each level. Practice modification, as necessary, shall also be recorded. If the actual heat index is less than 85°F, no action is needed.
- ACT: If the actual heat index is 95°F or higher, activity should be altered and/or eliminated using the following guidelines:
WIAA Recommendation: Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
CALCULATION DETAILS
A heat index is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature; “how hot it feels.” The result is also known as the “felt air temperature” or “apparent temperature.” For example, when the temperature is 90°F with very high humidity, the heat index can be about 106°F.
The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating. Heat is removed from the body by evaporation of that sweat. However, relative humidity reduces the evaporation rate because the higher vapor content of the surrounding air does not allow the maximum amount of evaporation from the body to occur.
Higher humidity results in a lower rate of heat removal from the body, hence the sensation of being overheated. This effect is subjective; however, studies have been performed to normalize heat index representation (ksi.uconn.edu).
The table above is a listing of the calculated heat index values which match the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s table. The colors correspond to WIAA’s categorization (NOTICE, CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER).
Looking at the table, it is important to note that any temperature above 86°F will “feel” at least 86°F. Virtually every heat index will be at least the current temperature, if not hotter.
PRACTICE MODEL
WIAA Handbook: Executive Board Policies (Revised 2020)
Schools and students are required to adhere to the following practice model:
- Insert cooling tub requirements within specific sports sections or in a general area:
- When the Heat Index meets or exceeds 70°F it is recommended that all schools provide at any practice or event, a method for rapidly cooling athletes experiencing heat illness. Approved methods include ice water immersion or tarp assisted cooling with oscillation (TACO).
If you move practices inside the same restrictions apply unless the indoor facility is climate controlled. Must apply to all sports.
PRE-CONTEST TIMEOUT
A ‘Pre-Contest Timeout’ is designed to prepare officials, coaches, site administrators, athletic trainers, emergency medical services, team physicians and anyone designated as responsible for the safety and medical well-being of athletes or spectators on game day to be aware, prepared and educated.
PRINTING YOUR PRE-CONTEST TIMEOUT CARD: Print two sided (on both sides) with a flip on the long edge. The current formatting aligns so the card is double sided and easy to cut out for distribution. Cards should be venue-specific, laminated, and provided to the appropriate coaches and school personnel.
Participants: The official(s) and home/away coach should meet prior to the contest start to review the checklist questions in the event of an emergency or contest interruption. If present, the athletic director (AD), athletic trainer (ATC), team physician, EMS, and site supervisor should be included in the pregame medical timeout.
Checklist Questions: Review these questions with the participants of the pre-contest timeout prior to each contest to ensure that all parties are on the same page.
- Is an athletic trainer onsite? If not, who is the lead responder for an emergency?
- Where is the closest AED and who will retrieve it?
- Is other emergency equipment available? (Spine board, splints, first aid kit)
- Are there environmental concerns? (Heat index, lightning)
- Emergency communication? (Hand signals, radio, cell)
- Who will call 911 and meet arriving EMS? (Location and access)
- Cover contest interruption policy and who officials will communicate with
