Every year, as many as 3.8 million people in the United States sustain concussions from sports and recreational activities. The only cure for traumatic brain injury is prevention.
AED recently produced a set of tools— including fact sheets, a quiz, posters, and magnets—that coaches can use to educate athletes, parents, and school officials about how to prevent concussions, and the appropriate actions to take when such an injury occurs.
“It made my life easier,” said Neil Skolnick, an instructor with USA Hockey’s coaching-education program. “The kit was put together very well.”
The materials AED developed “are at the leading edge of the information curve on head injury and concussion recognition and treatment,” said Dave Temkin, New York district coach-in-chief for USA Hockey, which was one of 26 organizations that worked with AED in the planning, development, evaluation, and promotion of the tool kit.
Both Temkin and Skolnick lead training sessions for hockey coaches in the southeast portion of New York. Some of the more expert coaches are aware of the dangers associated with concussions, but those just starting out need more instruction, they said.
Getting the information across effectively “is all in how it is presented,” said Temkin. “I could bring a neurosurgeon up there, but...is anyone going to understand what they say? Maybe the doctor at the back of the room, but ever yone in between will be saying ‘Huh?’”
After the trainings, coaches know the proper procedures for responding to a concussion and the urgency of getting it right. For example, many times players will want to return to the rink too soon after having sustained a concussion.
“Now, they can notice certain changes or certain things that have taken place [with the injured player], things a casual observer is not going to notice,” said Temkin, adding that because the trainings are going so well, USA Hockey would like to expand the program.
He said, “It seems like a no-brainer to spread it out to the entire country.”
