Concussion Management

BYC Concussion Management Policy and Concussion Codes of Conduct Information

Also know as Rowan’s Law

Updated 2023

Barrie Yacht Club values the long-term health of all. As such, we have a comprehensive Concussion Management Policy that incorporates Concussion Management, Return to Sport and Return to Work, and associated practices and procedures to support all the elements of this Concussion Management Policy.

While all concussions are a serious medical condition, no matter how, when and who received the injury, as an organizer of competitive amateur sailboat racing in Ontario, the Club’s Concussion Management Policy needs to comply with Ontario’s Rowan’s Law. To this end, the BYC Executive adapted the Ontario Sailing Concussion Management Policy and Concussion Codes of Conduct as they represent good practices around concussions in the sport of sailboat racing and compliance with Rowan’s Law, and to promote a consistent concussion policy across yacht and sailing clubs in Ontario.

BYC Concussion Management Policy

Education and Awareness
1. Including Mandatory Government of Ontario Material
Concussion Codes of Conduct
1. Covering Athletes and Participants
2. Covering Coaches (This includes BYC Sailing School Instructors)
3. Covering Designated Person, which is necessary when the competitive athlete or participant is not coached
Removal from Sport/Sailing Protocols (below)
Return to Sport/Sailing Protocols (below)
Tracking and Follow-up (Tracking and follow-up of actual or suspected concussions is key to recovery, Return-to-Sport, and to developing prevention and mitigating improvements.)

The following required material support the BYC Concussion Policy and Concussion Codes of Conduct

Concussion Recognition Tool 5 – needs be to readily available to Coaches and Designated Persons. Additional copies are available on the BYC Notice Board in the Clubhouse lobby.
Procedures for Removal & Return to Sailing Handout – copies need to be readily available to Coaches and Designated Persons to be given to those with a concussion or suspected concussion. Additional copies are available on the BYC Notice Board in the Clubhouse lobby.

With these being adopted as is from the Ontario Sailing Concussion Management Policy

As noted above, where the participant isn’t coached, there will be a Designated Person. How this is addressed is specific to the type of event. The details will be in the event’s Notice of Race (NOR) and its registration process. In the case of events such as BYC Wednesday Racing Series, LSIS racing events, or other events at BYC., an entry requirement is that the Person in Charge (PIC) of a racing sailboat is the Designated Person. This is consistent with their responsibility for those embarking on their vessel. BYC and the organizers of its competitive sailboat racing events will provide support to Designated Persons to fulfill their role, before, during and after racing. In situations where the Person in Charge is the Designated Person on a crewed sailboat, the Person in Charge needs to appoint a backup Designated Person in case the Person in charge has a concussion or suspected concussion.

The registration processes for BYC Sailing School and competitive sailboat racing events, including where BYC is a co-organizing authority, e.g. LSIS, have the capacity for you to an electronic signature that you have reviewed the mandatory awareness material, BYC Concussion Policy and that you are agreeing to abide by the appropriate Codes of Conduct.

In situations where athletes or participants, i.e., Wednesday night racing crews, they must register with the BYC. They can visit the BYC Member and Guests section.

An important component of reducing the impact of concussions is increased understanding of concussions through education. This includes mandatory concussion awareness and educational material provided by the Government of Ontario that needs to be reviewed annually by those individuals that, by law, need to sign that they have done so.

Education and Awareness Materials

Government of Ontario – Ministry Approved mandatory Awareness Material (Mandatory awareness material is age specific)

Booklets:

YouTube Videos:

E-Module:

http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/sport/e-mod/story.html

Tracking and Follow-up

Tracking and follow-up of actual or suspected concussions is key to recovery, Return-to-Sport, and developing prevention and mitigating improvements. BYC has an Incident Reporting Process to cover concussions and other situations that result in injury, damage to equipment and facilities or impairment of services. To comply with the BYC Concussion Policy and Codes of Conduct on reporting or to report any other incident, please complete the BYC Incident Form Online or Download a copy of BYC Incident Form and email it to the Rear Commodore rearcommodore@barrieyachtclub.com, by attaching the completed form or dropping it off at the Club Office.