Concussion Policy & Protocol

Concussion Policy

The new Canada Artistic Swimming Concussion Policy will be effective starting in September 2019. The purpose of this Policy is to provide the framework to create a safe and positive sport environment through education and training, and by making CAS Members, Registrants and Participants aware of artistic swimming-specific concussion awareness resources to assist in recognizing and managing a concussion injury.

  Canada Artistic Swimming Concussion Policy

This Policy applies to CAS and its Members, Registrants and Participants. It applies at all times wherever an Activity takes place, including CAS, PTSO or affiliated club workplaces as well as external locations in Canada and abroad and includes all events and activities sanctioned by CAS or the PTSO.

Concussion Management Protocol

The Canada Artistic Swimming Concussion Management Protocol is a companion to CAS’s Concussion Policy to help inform and guide the management of artistic swimmers who may have a suspected concussion as a result of participation in Canada Artistic Swimming activities. Artistic Swimming is classified by the Canadian Olympic and ParaOlympic Sport Institute (COPSI) Network and Own the Podium (OTP) as a high-risk Olympic Summer sport. As such, CAS must provide up-to-date concussion policy and protocols on an annual basis. CAS and its stakeholders (athletes, coaches, medical staff, integrated support team (IST) members, management, executive staff, officials and other stakeholders) should conduct themselves in ways that minimize the risk of concussion, maximize its recognition, and prevent continuation or premature return to high-risk sport activities until they have fully recovered, as judged by the medical team or consulting physician in the high performance training and competition environment.

  Canada Artistic Swimming Concussion Management Protocol

This protocol covers the recognition, medical diagnosis, and management of artistic swimming athletes who may sustain a suspected concussion during a sport activity. It aims to ensure that athletes with a suspected concussion receive timely and appropriate care and proper management to allow them to return back to their sport safely. This protocol may not address every possible clinical scenario that can occur during sport-related activities but includes critical elements based on the latest evidence and current expert consensus.