All Petrie Island Canoe Club athletes and parents must read and understand the below PICC Concussion Code of Conduct and must agree to this document, acknowledging that they have read and understood it in its entirety.
I will help prevent concussions by:
- Using appropriate equipment for my level of ability
- Respecting the rules and expectations set out by the Petrie Island Canoe Club
- My commitment to fair play and respect for all (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers, and officials
I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and in doing so I understand that:
- A concussion is a brain injury and has both short-term and long-term effects
- A blow to my head, face, neck, or body that causes my brain to move around inside my skull may cause a concussion
- I have a responsibility and commitment to recognizing and reporting potential concussions, including self-reporting of a possible concussion. This means reporting to an adult when I am aware of any individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion
- If I suspect I may have sustained a concussion, I should stop participating in activity immediately and report to an adult whom I trust
- Continuing to participate in further activity, whether practice, competition, or otherwise, with a possible concussion will increase my risk of severe symptoms and increased injury
I will not hide concussion symptoms for myself OR for others. I will speak up for myself AND for others:
- I will not hide my symptoms if I experience a possible concussion. I will tell a coach, parent, official, or other adult whom I trust
- If someone else tells me they are experiencing concussion symptoms, I will tell a coach, parent, official, or other adult whom I trust
- If I see signs that someone else may be experiencing concussion symptoms, I will tell a coach, parent, official, or other adult whom I trust
- I am committed to sharing any pertinent information regarding removal from sport incidences. I will notify all sport teams/organizations I participate with of my concussion diagnosis. (For example, if I sustain a concussion in hockey, I will notify my soccer coach at school and my paddling coach at the club, so that both coaches can support my recovery)
I respect my health and will take the time I need to recover:
- I understand that if I experience a potential concussion I will be removed from sport and will not be able to return to training, practice, or competition until I have been cleared by a medical doctor
- I am committed to a safe return to sport process for myself and for others
- I will respect my coaches, trainers, officials, parents, health care professionals, and medical doctors regarding my health and safety and that of others