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Originally Posted by waltjp
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Is confused about assignment
- Forgets plays
- Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness
- Shows behavior or personality changes
- Can't recall events prior to hit
- Can't recall events after hit
Or the athlete himself might report the following symptoms if he has a concussion, including a: - Headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish
- Feeling foggy or groggy
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion
Other important facts about concussions include that they: - are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head
- can occur even if the athlete doesn't lose consciousness
- can happen in any sport
- may not cause symptoms until days or weeks after the injury
- can cause brain swelling, permanent brain damage, or even death, if an athlete has a second concussion before fulling recovering from a first one
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Who are you to say that the player can't play if they exhibit signs of a concussion. We can only limit return to play in the event of an apparent LOC not a concussion.
This discussion is very trying for me because I am both and umpire and an Athletic Trainer. The rule clearly states that in the event of apparent LOC then the player must have written permission/clearance from a MD. Let me tell you something, any ATC worth anything, and that has any clue, will not allow a player to RTP if there is any thought that there was LOC. Any time I have apparent LOC with my athletes, their in the ER asap.
I think that umpires need to be aware of LOC. Reading this I'm not sure that you guys know the difference between a concussion and LOC. Dazed/Confused/Dizzy/Amnesia, all that from the list above does not equal a loss of consciousness.
I think that, and the way that I would handle this situation if there is no ATC present, is after everything calms down, as the coach and I are discussing who the replacement is, I would tell the coach that in my opinion that player had a LOC and state why that is (unresponsive, blacked out, etc). If he asks me why I feel that way, then i explain my medical experience. I truely believe that if this happens, 1. the coach doesn't try to put the kid in, and 2. he won't have a problem with me saying hey I feel this way and this is what i observed. I don't think that he needs to be told that the player cannot return unless a doc's note is present, becasue he's going to seek one out maybe. Also, it needs to be noted on the line-up cards that there was LOC and why. And if the coaches have a problem, all you have to tell them is Tough crap, let move on