DRAFT CONCUSSION GUIDELINES

The BF Medical Committee publishes draft Concussion Guidelines and welcomes feedback from the fencing community. As a reminder – “If in doubt, sit them out”.

Read the Draft Concussion Guidelines here.

Whilst concussion is not common in fencing it can and does happen.  The guidance details the assessment and management of fencers with concussion or potential concussion.

It is intended for community use – for fencers, referees, coaches, first aiders, medical healthcare professionals, fellow team members, team managers, parents/guardians, DT members and competition organisers.

Feedback can be provided via the form here.

Summary points for (non clinical) members of the community:

• IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT
• Use the following assessment tool: The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) (bmj.com)
• Any fencer with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from training or competition  and should not return to fencing until medically assessed.
• Injury Break Rules reminder here https://www.britishfencing.com/injury-break-update/ and https://www.britishfencing.com/injury-break-process/
• A concussion assessment should take at least 10 minutes, this happens prior to the injury break.
• Recommended E-learning:
  • • British Cycling Concussion Module
    • Concussion Awareness Training Tool 
    • Concussion Awareness for Coaches – UK Coaching (£10)
• All suspected and actual concussions should be reported to BF here.

REMEMBER: IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT

(Note 15th Jan 2024 – for the up to date version of the Concussion Guidelines visit https://www.britishfencing.com/policy-zone/safety-policies-guidelines/)