Youth sports might not seem as dangerous as professional sports, but there are still physical risks involved.
Safety precautions should be taken in every sport, and at Liberty Mutual Insurance Play Positive™ we encourage coaches and parents to educate themselves on where to find information on preventing and identifying head injuries, especially concussions.
We sat down with U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Medical Director Kyle Wilkens to get his thoughts on how youth athletes, coaches and Positive Sport Parents can help provide proper protection of the head.
In our exclusive TAKE 5 interview, Kyle told us that the best technique for everyone involved in skiing to properly protect the head can utilize a two-pronged approach.
“Always wear a properly fit helmet, and ride in control,” said Kyle.
According to Kyle, parents and coaches alike should also be properly trained in diagnosing the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
“The most important thing coaches can do to protect an athlete is to know the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and pull the athlete immediately when a concussion is suspected,” said Kyle.
Should a concussion be experienced by a youth athlete, Kyle said all the adults involved should make sure to seek out and deliver proper treatment – and take precautions before returning the youth athlete to competition.
“Ensure that your child is seen by a health care professional trained in concussion management when a concussion has occurred,” said Kyle. “And ensure that they do not return to play until cleared by that professional.”
To read the full TAKE 5 interview with Kyle, visit PlayPositive.com. And come back next month for another exclusive TAKE 5 interview!
At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of positivity shown by people every day. We created Play Positive, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance, as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display positivity. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the hill.
©2014 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Positive Coaching Alliance. All rights reserved. This material may not be distributed without express written permission. Any reproduction in whole or part by and individuals or organizations will be held liable for copyright infringement to the full extent of the law.
