How PDM Basketball recognizes, responds to and recovers from concussions, following Ontario's Rowan's Law and the Ontario Basketball Concussion Policy.
If in doubt, sit them outRowan's Law is named after Rowan Stringer, a young rugby player from Ottawa who died after multiple concussions. It sets three requirements for every sport organization in Ontario.
Every year, before registering, athletes, parents and coaches confirm they have reviewed Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources.
Everyone commits to a Concussion Code of Conduct that sets out rules of behaviour to support concussion prevention.
A clear process to remove a player with a suspected concussion, and a step-by-step plan before they return to play.
A concussion can happen from a hit to the head or body, with or without losing consciousness. Symptoms may show up right away or over the following hours.
Every athlete, parent or guardian of an athlete under 18, coach and team trainer agrees to these commitments each season.
The head coach removes the player from practice, training or the game right away. Any coach, official, teammate or parent who notices signs tells the head coach. If in doubt, sit them out.
The player is monitored and never left alone or allowed to drive until a parent or guardian arrives. If any red flag appears, call 911 and do not move the player.
The head coach completes the Suspected Concussion Report Form and shares it with the parent or guardian, PDM Basketball and Ontario Basketball within 24 hours.
The parent or guardian takes the player for a medical assessment with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible.
Each stage takes at least 24 hours. A player only moves up when they have no symptoms at the current stage.
24 to 48 hours of physical and mental rest.
Easy exercise at about half effort. No contact.
Solo ball handling and shooting at moderate effort. No contact.
Higher-intensity drills with one teammate. No contact.
Non-contact practice drills. No scrimmages.
Contact and scrimmages, working back to pre-injury skill level.
Full participation in competition.
Questions about concussion safety or a player's return? Reach out and a PDM staff member will help.
This page is general information and is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.
