Concussion Protocol

Pacific District Concussion Information Page

In April 2018, USA Hockey implemented a concussion protocol acknowledgement to its annual member registration.

During online registration, each member is now required to acknowledge the concussion protocol prior to completing the registration process.

Changes to the Pacific District Concussion Program effective 2018-19 season

As part of the national concussion protocol, USA Hockey has instituted a required signature acknowledgement at the time of membership registration for all participants. Due to this welcome development, Pacific District affiliates will no longer need to collect signed copies of the Parent and Coach Concussion Acknowledgement Forms.

In addition, the Pacific District has a Statement of Protocol in place, and every state has concussion legislation that must be implemented and followed. Where more stringent, the District protocol will be followed.

Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol

Statement of Protocol: When concussive activity is suspected, an athlete will be removed from participation until he/she can be evaluated by a medical professional trained in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, then cleared to safely return to participation.

• USA Hockey requires this signed acknowledgement at the time of registration for all members: Parents, athletes, coaches, volunteers, administrators and officials.



Concussion legislation is state-specific. Each state has different, additional criteria as outlined below:

Alaska

Listed below are the components of the updated Concussion Protocol in Alaska:

• Pacific District Statement of Concussion Protocol: All affiliates of the Pacific District will use this protocol as a baseline, in addition to any more stringent components required by individual state legislation. In Alaska, this Protocol in entirety is the base policy for all ASHA members, of any age, participating at any level.
• Legislative requirements (Alaska House Bill 15 [2011], AS §§ 14.30.142 and 14.30.143): In Alaska, the legislative requirements for student and youth athletes is consistent with the national acknowledgement and the Pacific District protocol. Where more stringent, the District protocol will be followed.

The Pacific District Concussion Protocol includes the additional terms and conditions:

• An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury shall be immediately removed from participation for the remainder of the day. Removal can be at the request of a coach, official, team manager, parent/guardian, program administrator, onsite EMT/ATC or the athlete. The one-day rule is Pacific District Protocol and supersedes any state legislation allowing same day return to participation.
• An athlete removed from participation for evaluation shall not be permitted to return to participation until evaluated and released by an appropriate medical professional (trained in the management of concussions, and acting within the scope of his/her practice). A written release or medical clearance must be provided to the team manager prior to return to participation.
• If a concussion is diagnosed and concussion management protocol has been enacted for an athlete, there is no review period or negotiation as to the course of action and return to participation outside of the recommendations of the evaluating medical professional who has been selected to treat the athlete, in conjunction with the District protocol, national acknowledgement and applicable state laws.