Concussion is a hot topic in the sports world due to the potential seriousness of the injury. Diving is a limited contact sport. It is important to recognize a concussion and seek medical attention as the brain is in a “vulnerable” state during this period. Another head injury during the post-injury period can significantly prolong post-concussion symptoms or even be life threatening.
USA Diving and its medical team are committed to providing education and guidelines for athletes, coaches and parents regarding the recognition and management of concussions. The safety of divers sustaining head injuries is of paramount importance to the health of competitive divers.
Effective January 15, 2016, all USA Diving coach members will be required to have completed a concussion awareness training course. See below for more information.
We also encourage all coaches to review the information and material available on USA Diving’s Concussion Education page, which includes information on symptoms to watch for, action plans and information sheets that coaches may wish to distribute to athletes and their parents.
Concussion Awareness Training Course – What to do
1. Coaches must take a Concussion Awareness Training Course. This will be a one-time requirement. Coaches may choose to take either the CDC Heads Up course or the National Federation of High Schools Concussion in Sports course.
2. After the course has been completed, submit a copy of your certificate to Aurelie Gibson at Aurelie.Gibson@usadiving.org. If you have previously taken one of the courses, USA Diving will accept certificates from within the past two years. Please provide a certificate dated no earlier than January 15, 2014 as proof of having previously completed a concussion awareness training course.
3. Current members: To avoid a lapse in your membership, the course must be completed by January 15, 2016. If you have not completed a course by that date, your membership will revert to pending status.
4. Any coaches who register with USA Diving after January 15, 2016 must complete the concussion course before their membership becomes current. (All other membership requirements must also be met.)
5. Coaches are also encouraged to review the information and material available on USA Diving’s Concussion Education page, which includes information on symptoms to watch for, action plans and information sheets that coaches may wish to distribute to athletes and their parents.