In following Rowans Law a copy of Swim Ontario’s Concussion Management Procedure.  Please take time to review the procedure as only a summary has provided below:

Swim Ontario has a duty of care to protect and not place at unreasonable risk its Clubs and registrants.

Rowan’s Law S.O. 2018 c. 1 also mandates that Swim Ontario establish the following removal-from-sport and return-to-sport procedure to keep our participants (registrants and volunteers) safe and healthy.

Swim Ontario takes the health and well-being of all participants in sport and recreation activities very seriously and is committed to helping everyone in the Swim Ontario family succeed in swimming and other activities.


“Removal-from-Sport Protocol” where the designated person(s) is/are responsible for ensuring that:

  • If a participant has sustained, or is suspected to have sustained a concussion, regardless of whether or not the concussion was sustained from a sport activity associated with Swim Ontario, the participant is immediately removed from further training by Facility staff, the Supervising Coach, and/or the Head Coach.

 

  • The requirement that the participant undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner who is to submit proof of medical clearance document to Swim Ontario. An acceptable clearance document for return to Swim Ontario sanctioned activity would be legibly written on appropriate signed letterhead or a similar signed prescription note pad.


 

“Return-to-Sport Protocol”

  • A participant who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion is permitted to return to training or competition when the participant, or, if the participant is under 18 years of age, the participant’s parent or guardian provides a Clearance document to the Head Coach or Supervising Coach and Swim Ontario confirming that:

 

  • The participant has been medically cleared in writing to return to training, practice or competition by the physician or nurse practitioner. Swim Ontario will require the clearance letter to be legibly written on appropriate signed letterhead or a similar signed prescription note pad. Approval will only be given by the Swim Ontario C.O.O. or designate once all of the appropriate documentation is received and subsequently satisfactorily reviewed. 

 

 

  • A participant, or the participant’s parent or guardian must share the medical advice or recommendations they receive with the Head Coach or Supervising Coach before being permitted to return to training or competition through the graduated return-to-sport steps, if any.

 

Return-to-Sport Strategy

 

Stage

Aim

Activity

Goal of each Step

1

Symptom limited activity

Daily activities that do not provoke symptoms

Gradual reintroduction of work/school activities

2

Light aerobic exercise

Walking or stationary cycling at slow to medium pace.  No resistance training

Increase heart rate

3

Sport-specific exercise

Running or skating drills.  No head impact activities

Add movement

4

Non-contact training drills

Harder training drills.  May start progressive resistance training

Exercise, coordination and increased thinking

5

Full Contact practice

Following medical clearance, participate in normal training activities

Restore confidence and assess functional skills by coaching staff

6

Return to Sport

Normal game play