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Health Information for Parents

  • The State of New Jersey has legislation in place to protect Student-Athletes from
     the risks of Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Death.

    The following information is for educational purposes. If there is ever any doubt, please seek assistance from your primary care physician.

     

    Concussion Education Resources

    The following sites are invaluable resources in concussion education.
    Please visit them to familiarize yourself with concussion recognition.
     

    Sports Safety International

     

    Signs of a Concussion (observed by the coaches, Athletic Trainer, parents/guardians)

    • Appears dazed or stunned
    • Forgets plays or demonstrates short term memory difficulties (e.g. unsure of game, opponent)
    • Exhibits difficulties with balance,coordination concentration, and attention
    • Answers questions slowly or inaccurately
    • Demonstrates behavior or personality changes
    • Is unable to recall events prior to or after the hit or fall
     

     Symptoms of a concussion (reported by the athlete)

    • Headache
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Balance problems or dizziness
    • Double vision or changes in vision
    • Sensitivity to light/sound
    • Feeling of sluggishness or fogginess
    • Confusion, difficulty with memory, difficulty with concentration
    What should a Student Athlete do if they think they have a concussion?
    • Don’t hide it. Tell your Athletic Trainer, Coach, School Nurse,or Parent/Guardian. Report it
    • Don’t return to competition or practice with symptoms of a concussion or head injury. The sooner you report it, the sooner you may return to play.
    • Take time to recover
    • If you have a concussion your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is healing you are much more likely to sustain a second concussion. Repeat concussions can cause permanent brain injury.
    What can happen if a student athlete continues to play with a concussion or returns to play to soon?
    • Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the student athlete vulnerable to second impact syndrome.
    • Second impact syndrome is when a student athlete sustains a second concussion while still having symptoms from a previous concussion or head injury.
    • Second impact syndrome can lead to severe impairment and even death in extreme cases.
    Should there be any temporary academic accommodations made for Student Athletes who have suffered a concussion?
    • To recover cognitive rest is just as important as physical rest. Reading, texting, testing ,even watching movies can slow down a student athletes recovery.
    • Stay home from school with minimal mental and social stimulation until all symptoms have resolved.
    • Students may need to take rest breaks, spend fewer hours at school,be given extra time to complete assignments, as well as being offered other instructional strategies and classroom accommodations.
    Once cleared by a physician trained in concussion management, student athletes who have sustained a concussion must complete a graduated return to play before they may resume competition or practice.
     
 

  • Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletics

    The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among student athletes, often due to undetected heart conditions, has caused great concern throughout New Jersey. In response to this serious problem and in an effort to increase awareness and emphasize prevention of possible sudden death of young athletes, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed P. L. 2009, Chapter 260. The law established the New Jersey Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Task Force.

    The Task Force has completed the portion of its mandate to develop an informational brochure about sudden cardiac death for distribution to all districts in the State. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41 school districts are required to distribute the pamphlet to the parents or guardians of students participating in school sports.

     
    Department of Education’s website for more information on Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes and other health related topics: http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/health/services/
     
    The American Heart Association 
    Basic Facts on Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes
     
    Sports Safety International offers a FREE course CardiacWise
    CardiacWise is a free online educational program designed to educate coaches, parents, athletes on the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes. 
     

  • Beginning on September 1, 2015 ANY sports physical submitted to Bayonne High School MUST have a physician signature certifying that the examining physician has taken the Student-Athlete Cardiac Assessment Professional Development Module. Failure to have this signature in place will delay and prevent the student athlete from participation in sports.