Roles and responsibilities

Whenever a concussion occurs, each stakeholder plays a strategic role in the coordination and transmission of information. The quality of the communication between all stakeholders is key in ensuring effective and cohesive monitoring.

Participants (students, athletes, players, people practising recreational or sports activities, etc.)

  • report any symptoms that may be related to a concussion
  • report any incident they may have witnessed
  • comply with medical instructions and follow the procedure involved in the progressive return to activities presented in the Concussion Management Protocol
  • inform the various stakeholders of their state of health and any related restrictions

It is important to report the symptoms of a concussion in order to rest and to begin the progressive return to activities at the right time. This way, the brain is given sufficient time to rest.

Parents of a participant who is a minor

  • watch carefully for delayed symptoms of a concussion because they can appear up to 48 hours after an incident
  • take the steps needed to obtain proper care
  • inform the other stakeholders (educational and sports organizations) of their child’s state of health
  • ensure that activities are resumed in accordance with medical instructions or the protocol

The person responsible for health, well-being and safety in sports and recreation

  • check for symptoms when the participant is removed from the activity
  • inform the parents of a minor of the situation as quickly as possible and notify them of the rest period required
  • ensure that activities are resumed in accordance with medical instructions and the procedure involved in the progressive return to activities presented in the Concussion Management Protocol

In a situation where the protocol is integrated into the practices of a professional healthcare team (e.g. athletic therapist, physiotherapist, kinesiologist) with concussion-related expertise working under medical supervision, the Concussion Management Protocol can be applied with a degree of flexibility. Healthcare professionals may use other tools that have a well-established track record as recognition tools (SCAT5, ChildSCAT5, Pocket CRT) and that comply with the basic standards of the protocol.

The person responsible for applying the protocol in an educational institution

  • inform and equip the staff (updated protocol and tracking sheet)
  • coordinate the actions of the school staff as intellectual, physical and sports activities resume

Please see the memory aid related to your level of instruction.