Health & Safety
The Health & Safety of all players is of primary concern to the Club. The Club maintains a hockey-specific first aid kit for both the 55+ and 70+ groups. In addition, the City provides an Automated External Defibrillator ("AED") at both rinks, as well as an additional AED for the sole use of the Club. The first-aid kit, AED, emergency procedures, and call numbers are kept at the bench for every ice session.
Injury Report
Significant injuries and health events occurring at a Club-sanctioned event, including ice sessions, require an Injury Report to be completed and provided to the Club (H&S Director.
Concussion Awareness
A concussion is a form of a traumatic brain injury that happens when the brain is shaken within the skull. Concussion is also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) but it does not typically result in structural brain injury identified on diagnostic imaging such as CT or MRI scans. The term mild does not diminish the impacts that concussion can have on your health and activities of daily living (ADLs).
While the majority of people recover within one month, in some cases symptoms resolve more slowly or may persist longer than expected. Prompt medical assessment and management can help diagnose concussions and ensure patients are provided with proper education and guidance as well as treatment as needed.
If you have suffered any trauma to your head and/or whiplash, and you experience symptoms of concussion, it is important to seek medical help. This includes if you have been in a traumatic accident; assaulted; fallen; or injured playing sports. National concussion guidelines recommend that all those with a suspected concussion undergo prompt medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner.
Signs of a concussion
The following symptoms can occur after a concussion.
Please note: Most people will not experience all symptoms – but if you are experiencing symptoms after a physical injury, visit your doctor.
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Headache/migraine
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Dizziness and balance problems
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Nausea
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Fatigue
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Sleep disturbance
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Vision changes
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Sensitivity to light or noise
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Ringing in the ears
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Seizure
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Problems with smell/taste
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Foggy-feeling
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Difficulty remembering and focusing
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Slower information processing
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Trouble thinking clearly or finding your words
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Difficulty making decisions or plans
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Behavioural changes like depression, anxiety, irritability, aggression, or impulsivity
Cardiac Arrest
Warning Signs Before a Cardiac Event
These may show up during or after exertion (hiking, biking, pickleball, golfing, skating) - don’t ignore it seek medical attention immediately/ call 911.
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Chest pain or pressure (especially heavy, squeezing, or radiating to arm/jaw).
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Unusual shortness of breath out of proportion to exertion.
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Palpitations (racing, irregular, or “skipping” heartbeat).
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Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (syncope) — especially if it happens on exertion.
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Extreme or unusual fatigue not explained by training or age.
Risk Factors in Players Over 55
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Known heart disease (history of heart attack, stent, bypass, atrial fibrillation).
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High blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
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Smoking history.
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Obesity or metabolic syndrome.
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Family history of sudden cardiac death or early heart disease.
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Sedentary lifestyle, then sudden intense activity (e.g., “weekend warrior effect”).
On-Ice Red Flags (Immediate Risk)
If a player develops any of these, they need to stop and be evaluated right away by a knowledgeable person who potentially calls 911.
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Chest discomfort that doesn’t resolve in a minute or two.
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Sudden collapse or fainting.
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Severe shortness of breath or wheezing not improving with rest.
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Pale, sweaty, or gray/ashen appearance.
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Confusion or trouble speaking.
Recommendations
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Pre-season medical checkups (especially if new/worsening symptoms or multiple risk factors).
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Warm-up & cool-down routines (avoid sudden intense exertion from cold start).
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AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on-site and people trained to use it.
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CPR-trained teammates — quick response is the difference between survival and not.
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Buddy check teammates look out for subtle warning signs in each other and especially new players with no history with new teammates.
Five-star hockey helmet changes the game [Virginia Tech]
Doctoral student Megan Bland sets up an impact test in the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. The research team, which assesses helmets' ability to reduce the risk of head injuries, just awarded their first five-star rating for a hockey helmet to a new release from equipment company CCM.
