Step 4: Allow the athlete to return to play only with permission from a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. Prevent common long-term problems and the rare second impact syndrome by delaying the athlete's return to the activity until the player receives appropriate medical evaluation and approval for return to play. (Source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Step 3: Inform the athlete's parents or guardians about the possible concussion and give them the fact sheet concussion. Make sure they know that the athlete should been by a health care professional experienced in evaluating concussion.

A Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents.

(Source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Cause of the Injury and the force of the hit or blow to the head
• Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
• Any memory loss immediately following the injury
• Any seizures immediately following the injury
• Number of previous concussions (If any)

Next week, this blog will post a different step of the action plan that should be carried out when an athlete may have had a concussion. So check back next week for the step-by-step course on how to handle the situation. (source: US Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

(Photo Credit: http://www.spameditationbliss.com/Images/whole_brain.jpeg)

Jonathan Toews holds his face after hitting the ice after a hard foul by Vancouver's Wille Mitchell. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / October 21, 2009)

Chicago Tribune article, "Injury issue coming to head" features insight from NHL All-Star Keith Primeau on this seasons scary moments (including Blackhawks' young captain Jonathon Toews struggling to get to the bench). http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-03-blackhawks-chicago-nov03,0,614229.story