Lesson #6: Safety, injury, bleeding, and concussion =================================================== *by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil* `Watch this lesson on YouTube `_ Last updated: June 12, 2018 This is a simplified list of safety practices. See the WFTDA Risk Management Guidelines for more information. Safety ------ - All games must have two dedicated emergency medical providers. - They may not have a secondary job in the game (skater, NSO, etc.) - At least one must be watching the track at both times. Gameplay must halt if both are attending to a patient until at least one can resume watching the game. - The vast majority of games must comply with the WFTDA Risk Management Guidelines - The outside safety lane must be 10 feet wide (5 with a 3-foot high raised fixed barrier) - Columns / posts (even padded) may not be within 5 feet of the inside track boundary or 10 feet from the outside safety boundary - I strongly encourage officials refuse to work games (and skaters to play games) in venues that fail to meet minimum safety standards. - This includes walking out of a game before it starts. - Some non-sanctioned games outside the USA played under other insurance company safety guidelines may have different requirements. - Discuss this with your league if it applies to you. - Safety gear should be worn at all times while standing on skates (see lesson #5). - Skaters, refs, and NSOs may not participate in a game while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. - Immediately report even suspected violations to the game head officials. Injury ------ - Minor (no immediate danger to self or others) - Examples: broken finger, sprained knee, having the “wind knocked out of you” - Skaters may withdraw from a jam and/or resume play at their discretion - Skaters in the box may be subbed out between jams at their discretion - Serious (potential danger to self or others, skater unable to continue) - Jam may be called at the ref’s discretion. - Skater unable to continue play should be directed off the track. - If fails to exit the track before active gameplay nears the skater, the jam may be called at the referee’s discretion. - Skater should be brought to the medics (or vice-versa) as appropriate - Major (immediate danger to oneself or others) - Jam must immediately be called - Medics should be summoned to the skater - Impaired / confused skaters - Jam may be called at the referee’s discretion - Speak directly to the skater - Tip: Ask the skater, “can you continue?” and not “are you okay?”, as skaters will often say they’re okay even when they are not. - If the skater does not respond or is disoriented, treat as a major injury. Bleeding -------- - A Skater who is bleeding must be removed from play - The skater may return to gameplay (even in the same jam) if these conditions are all met: - The bleeding has stopped - The wound is appropriately dressed - There is no visible blood on their gear and uniform - Blood on uniforms must be washed and disinfected, covered with duct tape, or cut out - Blood on gear must be cleaned and disinfected - Call the jam if… - … the skater has significant bleeding - … there is blood on the track, safety lanes, penalty box, etc. -- even a single drop - Gameplay may not resume until affected areas are cleaned and disinfected Concussion ---------- - A concussion is a traumatic brain injury cause by a shake, blow, or jolt to the head. - A skater who is potentially concussed is no longer able to consent to playing in a game. - The skater must be cleared by the medics before they are allowed to return to play - A skater may refuse the medics’ evaluation, but is barred from participating for the remainder of the game - A skater whom the medics determine has no signs or symptoms of concussion may return to play - If this occurred in the first half of the game, the skater must be re-evaluated before the start of the second half. - If this occurred in the second half of the game, the skater must be re-evaluated at the end of the game. - Medics may request skaters return for re-evaluation at later times as well. - Example: before the skater’s next game of a multi-game event. - Common symptoms of concussion include blacking out, headaches, abnormal behavior, confusion/disorientation, difficulty balancing, nausea, agitation, and sensitivity to light. - For more information, see the CDC’s information program on concussions in youth sports at https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html.