SAFETY
POLICIES

While QVS is committed to the safety and health of our members, everyone is responsible for safety - for yourself and other players. Players should report any medical problems in a timely manner, and always play in a manner that does not endanger themself or other players. Players should keep in mind that QVS has a strict no slide tackling policy. QVS will have basic first aid equipment accessible during sanctioned soccer activities. Individuals providing first aid should act within the limits of their training, certification and competence. Where emergency medical attention is required, the default response shall be to contact emergency medical services by calling 911. Safety is a shared responsibility. League Organizers and Team Captains are expected to take reasonable steps within their respective roles to identify and respond to safety concerns arising during sanctioned QVS activities. Members are expected to comply with reasonable safety directions given by a League Organizer, Team Captain or Match Official.

1. First Aid and Safety Equipment

QVS will make appropriate basic first aid equipment accessible during sanctioned soccer activities. First aid equipment will be located so that it is reasonably accessible to Team Captains and League Organizers during QVS activities. Individuals providing first aid should act within the limits of their training, certification and competence. Nothing in this policy requires a member to provide first aid beyond their level of training or competence. Where emergency medical attention is required, emergency medical services should be contacted by calling 911. QVS will periodically inspect its first aid equipment and replenish supplies as required.

2. Injury Reporting Policy

QVS will maintain a documented process for reporting significant injuries and safety incidents arising during sanctioned QVS activities. 

The following should be reported to a Team Captain or League Organizer as soon as reasonably practicable:

  • suspected concussions 

  • injuries requiring emergency medical attention 

  • injuries resulting in attendance by emergency medical services 

  • significant injuries occurring during a QVS activity 

  • significant safety hazards or near-miss incidents that could reasonably have resulted in serious injury

  • other safety incidents that a Team Captain or League Organizer considers appropriate to document 

Reportable injuries and safety incidents will be documented using the QVS Injury and Safety Incident Report, maintained as a digital reporting form. The current reporting form will be made readily accessible to Team Captains and League Organizers, including through designated QVS communication channels. The League Organizers may periodically review reported incidents to identify recurring hazards, trends or opportunities to improve QVS safety practices. Personal information collected through injury and incident reporting will be collected, used, retained and protected in accordance with applicable privacy requirements. Access will be limited to League Organizers.

3. Concussion Policy

QVS recognizes concussion as a potentially serious brain injury that may result from an impact to the head, face, neck or body that causes the brain to move within the skull. Symptoms may affect a person's thinking, physical function, mood, balance or behaviour and may not always be immediately apparent.

QVS's approach is based on recognized concussion-management principles, including guidance published by Canada Soccer and the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT). Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion must immediately stop participating and must not return to soccer on the same day. Diagnosis and ongoing management of concussion are matters for an appropriately qualified health care professional.

3.1 Prevention

Preventing concussion begins through concussion education. The League Organizers and Team Captains should review this policy prior to the season commencing. Team Captains should then present this information to their teams for awareness. Materials from the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (Coach Course) provided by the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit will be included in the information packet sent to all Team Captains.

Players should participate in accordance with the QVS rules and avoid conduct that creates an unnecessary risk of injury to themselves or others. Members may provide a Team Captain with relevant safety or medical information where they believe that information may assist in responding to an injury or emergency. Members remain responsible for deciding what personal medical information they wish to disclose.

3.2 Recognize and be Vigilant

Everyone involved in the game should be aware of the signs, symptoms and dangers of concussion. Team Captains and players should remain alert for signs or symptoms of concussion following an impact to the head or body. Symptoms may appear immediately or may develop in the hours following an injury.The presence of one or more of the following signs or symptoms should be treated as grounds for suspecting a concussion and removing the player from participation. These observations are not intended to diagnose concussion.

Visible Clues - any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a concussion:

  • Dazed, blank or vacant look

  • Lying motionless on ground/slow to get up

  • Unsteady on feet or balance problems or falling over or poor coordination

  • Loss of consciousness or responsiveness — confirmed or suspected

  • Confused or not aware of play or events

  • Grabbing, clutching, or shaking of the head

  • Seizure

  • More emotional or irritable than normal for that person

  • Injury event that could have caused a concussion

What you are told by the player - the presence of any one or more of the following symptoms may suggest a concussion:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Mental clouding, confusion, or feeling slowed down

  • Trouble seeing

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Drowsiness or feeling like ‘in a fog’ or difficulty concentrating

  • ‘Pressure in head’

  • Sensitivity to light or noise

Orientation questions that may assist in identifying a concern include:

  • “What field are we at today?”

  • “Which half is it now?”

  • “Who scored last in this game?”

  • “What team did you play last?”

  • “Did your team win your last game?”

Difficulty answering an orientation question following a potentially concussive event should increase concern and support removal from play. These questions are not a substitute for medical assessment.

3.3 Respond

Where a player is suspected of having sustained a concussion:

  • Stop their participation immediately

  • Do not permit them to return to play or training that day

  • Keep the player in a safe location and arrange appropriate supervision

  • Where a serious neck or spinal injury is suspected, do not unnecessarily move the player

  • and call 911

  • Recommend assessment by an appropriate health care professional

A head injury may be more serious than a concussion. Call 911 where a player experiences or develops concerning symptoms such as:

  • Severe neck pain

  • Decreasing level of consciousness or increasing drowsiness

  • Worsening confusion or unusual behaviour

  • A severe or worsening headache

  • Repeated vomiting

  • Seizure

  • Double vision

  • Weakness, numbness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs

A player with a suspected concussion must not return to play that day. They should be monitored appropriately and encouraged to obtain medical assessment. Advice concerning driving, alcohol consumption and other activities following concussion should be obtained from an appropriate health care professional.

3.4 Refer

Concussion or more severe forms of brain injury are to be diagnosed by health care professionals. In all cases of suspected concussion, it is recommended that the player be referred to a medical or healthcare professional for diagnosis and management advice, even if the symptoms resolve.

3.5. Report

Any suspected concussion occurring during a sanctioned QVS activity must be reported to a Team Captain or QVS Organizer as soon as reasonably practicable. A suspected concussion must be documented in accordance with the QVS injury and safety incident reporting requirements in Section 2. Communication between members and Team Captains is important to participant safety. Members are encouraged to provide relevant information regarding an active injury where that information may assist QVS in responding safely to an incident.

3.6 Rest and Recover

Recovery from concussion should be managed in accordance with the advice of an appropriately qualified health care professional. QVS does not provide medical diagnosis or individualized return-to-activity advice.

3.7 Return to Soccer

A player with a suspected concussion must not return to soccer on the same day as the injury. Subsequent return to soccer should occur in accordance with appropriate medical advice and applicable concussion guidance. Where medical clearance has been provided to the player, the player remains responsible for following the return-to-activity instructions provided by their health care professional. A QVS Organizer, Team Captain or Match Official may prevent a player from participating where they reasonably believe that the player's continued participation presents an immediate safety risk.

For additional information, members should refer to the current Concussion Policy by the Canada Soccer Sports Medicine Committee and the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT).