Events
Concussion Guidelines/Practical Refereeing
22nd September 2011
Having clarified the situation with the iRB it is important for referees to note that suspected concussion situations should be dealt with as heretofore, particularly when no medical practitioner and/or healthcare person is present.
If a referee is concerned that a player is suffering from concussion, he should err on the side of caution and require that player to leave the field and not resume playing in the match. This is covered in the Laws of the Game, Law 3.9. Essentially, this is what currently happens.
* While referees will see a reference to Pocket Scat2 in the iRB Guidelines, it is important to clarify that it is not necessary to attempt to use this to assist in the identification of suspected concussion.
Referees should usefully acquaint themselves with the concussion symptoms as listed in the iRB Guidelines, Table 1.
I would be grateful if the Hon. Secretaries would confirm that all their Provincial Members are copied.
Regards,
Owen Doyle
Director of Referees