Over 130 coaches, trainers, and athletic directors from the Kern High School District attended the 10th Annual Head Injuries in Student Athletes Symposium, presented by Hall Ambulance Service, Inc., on Wednesday, August 26 at the District’s office.

Hall Ambulance’s Medical Director Dr. Ron Ostrom, led the discussion providing the latest information in the prevention, detection and education of mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in our local student-athletes.  The objective of the training is to provide the coaches and their staff with the ability to manage athletes with a concussion, including proper return to play procedures.

A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function.  Two common causes of head injuries to student athletes include helmet to object, and body to object, which may not appear as severe, but produces significant forces transmitted to the head.

Not too long ago, hard helmet-to-helmet hits were the norm.  Little thought was given to a player who had had their bell-rung.  The result was needless injuries that could affect the player for the rest of their life.

Through programs such as the Head Injuries in Student Athletes Symposium, there has been a paradigm shift through education and awareness.  This backed with legislation that sets the minimum amount of time a player must wait before returning to play, has made for a safer sport.

Awareness and the impact of football-related head injuries have drawn a lot of attention locally—and that is a good thing.  Within the Kern High School District, the number of cases (across all sports) initially increased as a result of awareness and training.  Through education and teaching the football players safer tackling techniques, the number of reported concussions decreased from 153 during the 2013-2014 school year to 129 for the 2014-2015 school year.

Hall Ambulance presents the Head Injuries in Student Athletes Symposium at no cost to the Kern High School District.