FHSAA CONCUSSION & HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES INFORMATION RELEASE FORM

This form must be signed by all student athletes and parent/guardians before the student participates in any athletic or spirit practice or contest each school year.

CONCUSSION INFORMATION
A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a "ding" or a bump on the head can be serious. You can't see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon?
Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one (second impact syndrome). This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often under report symptoms of injuries. And concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key for student-athlete's safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion
Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without written medical clearance from a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. You should also inform your child's coach if you think that your child may have a concussion Remember it is better to miss one game than miss the whole season. When in doubt, the athlete sits out!

Return to Practice and Competition
The Florida High School Athletic Association Concussion Policy provides that if an athlete suffers, or is suspected of having suffered, a concussion or head injury during a competition or practice, the athlete must be immediately removed from the competition or practice and cannot return to practice or competition until a Health Care Professional has evaluated the athlete and provided a written authorization to return to practice and competition. The FHSAA recommends that an athlete not return to practice or competition the same day the athlete suffers or is suspected of suffering a concussion. The FHSAA also recommends that an athlete's return to practice and competition should follow a graduated protocol under the supervision of the health care provider (MD or DO).
For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html

Download the form here