Medical Resources

Concussion Resources - USA Hockey

Concussion Prevention, Recognition, Treatment and Return to Play

All sports are associated with the risk of sustaining a concussion, including playing, coaching, officiating or participating in ice hockey. It is important that all participants and parents learn about concussion prevention, recognition, treatment and return to play. USA Hockey provides all participants with information and educational materials about concussions, including the risk of sustaining a concussion, how to minimize these risks, concussion signs and symptoms, and USA Hockey’s program for returning to play following a concussion. If a USA Hockey participant reports one or more symptoms of concussion after a blow to the head or body, s/he should be removed from practice, play or training immediately and referred to a health care professional with experience in concussion management. USA Hockey’s Concussion Management Program can be found on the USA Hockey website at: http://www.usahockey.com/safety-concussions. Participants who have suffered a concussion are not permitted to return to play, in any manner whatsoever, until the participant has completed the return to play protocols required by USA Hockey and applicable law.

Cardiac Emergency Response

Cardiac Emergency Response
 Cardiac Emergency Response Flyer

A cardiac emergency response plan establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardia arrest.  A carefully orchestrated response to cardiac emergencies will reduce deaths and ensure that chaos does not lead to an improper or no response. 

Recommended Club Protocols

Protocol 1: The First Responder Duty Roster

  • How it works: Inventory your parent and coaching base to identify active or former EMTs, paramedics, police officers, firefighters, or ER nurses.
  • The setup: Create a roster showing which events those parents/coaches will attend. On game day, that designated person becomes the primary "Medical Lead" on the bench or in the stands.
  • Key rule: Be clear with licensed doctors/nurses on your roster: due to liability/malpractice limits, their designated role is for life-threatening trauma intervention, while 911 handles the rest.

Protocol 2: The Bench-Ready Trauma Kit Standard

  • How it works: Shift focus from basic band-aids to severe trauma control, specifically targeting skate laceration emergencies.
  • The setup:
    • Equip every head coach’s bag with an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) that includes at least one medical-grade tourniquet (e.g., CAT tourniquet), quick-clot gauze, and trauma shears.
    • Keep a larger, fully stocked trauma bag with a designated team manager or board member at every game and practice.
  • Key rule: The kit stays on the bench or at the glass—never locked in a locker room or left in a car.

Protocol 3: Mandatory "Stop the Bleed" & CPR Mandate

  • How it works: Standardize basic life-saving training across the entire organization so coverage doesn't depend on a single person.
  • The setup:
    • Coaches & Managers: Require Red Cross (or equivalent) CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed certification prior to the start of the season.
    • Players: Host a mandatory 1-hour CPR/AED/Bleed Control training session for all athletes during pre-season or team orientation.

Protocol 4: The Home-Team Medical Lead Rule

  • How it works: A simple hosting rule where the home team takes ownership of game-day first response for both teams.
  • The setup:The home team provides one of two things for the game:
    1. A hired, independent certified trainer (budgeted at ~$35–$45/hr with a minimum hour block).
    2. A designated, trained parent/coach equipped with the bench trauma kit who introduces themselves to both benches before puck drop.

Protocol 5: Direct-to-911 Escalation Protocol

  • How it works: Takes the guesswork out of minor vs. major injuries when no certified trainer is present.
  • The setup:Post a clear 1-page Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in every team manager binder and on the club website detailing exact triggers:
    • Minor (bumps, bruises): Basic bench first aid; parent handles off-ice.
    • Concussion suspected: Immediate removal from play—no exceptions.
    • Severe (unconsciousness, deep lacerations, neck/spine): Call 911 immediately; apply trauma controls (tourniquet/pressure) while waiting for municipal paramedics.