Concussions are one of the most serious issues facing our youth today, affecting one in five high school athletes nationwide. Because, concussions can lead to serious health consequences, it is essential that artistic swimmers, coaches, parents, and healthcare providers learn the signs and symptoms of concussion and what to do if a concussion occurs. 

Concussion protocol from USA Artistic Swimming national team physical therapist Chelsea Fan - HERE

To help bring the latest concussion education to our community, USA Artistic Swimming has joined TeachAids, a nonprofit leader in global education innovation, in sharing CrashCourse. With research conducted out of Stanford and Harvard universities, TeachAids developed the CrashCourse concussion education product suite in collaboration with world-class medical, sports, and education experts. We are proud to distribute TeachAids’ award-winning and interactive learning experiences.

The CrashCourse products are designed as comprehensive education and mental health resources for all who are affected by concussions. These products aim to raise awareness of the latest science around concussions, medically referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries, to shift the conversation away from fear and silence toward one of knowledge and empowerment.

TeachAids’ partnerships with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies and the National Council of Youth Sports allow the CrashCourse products to reach young people across organized sports. The products are also used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Brain Injury Association of America, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and other special programs, making this concussion education available to more than 100 million caregivers, parents, athletes, coaches, and veterans in countries like the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

Created with user-centered formative design research, CrashCourse is a 12-minute educational video. It synthesizes first-person and third-person experiential perspectives to inform and motivate learning about concussion signs and symptoms, myths and misconceptions, the seriousness of reporting, and the importance of working with a qualified medical expert. It integrates these topics into a narrative, story-driven format with the learner at the center of the experience. Upon receiving a concussion, the learner is faced with a moral dilemma: to “Take a Knee” or “Stay in the Game.” Each decision leads the learner down a different path to reflect the consequences (both positive and negative) of their decision. It can be accessed in standard video and in virtual reality (Google Cardboard | Oculus Rift/Rift S | Oculus Go)

This 8-minute Multi-Sport production was developed by award-winning nonprofit TeachAids in collaboration with USA Archery, USA Baseball, USA Bobsled & Skeleton, USA Cycling, USA Diving, USA Fencing, USA Field Hockey, USA Football, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, US Lacrosse, US Ski & Snowboard, US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, USA Triathlon and USA Wrestling.

The CrashCourse Brain Fly-Through uses cutting edge technology from Stanford University’s Neurosurgical Simulation and Virtual Reality Center to conceptualize an otherwise “invisible injury”. Using dramatic race footage from world mountain biking champion Kate Courtney, coupled with her own personal concussion experience, this product takes the viewer on a journey through the human brain. The fly-through showcases the brain’s blood vessels, nervous system, and cerebrospinal fluid cavities while emphasizing the complexity and fragility of the brain – as well as the importance of caring for it.

This product features an interactive database of more than 4,000 videos of individual stories relating to how an injury occurred, the symptoms experienced and personal insights from those who have been injured by a concussion. It is intended as a comprehensive mental health resource for the many who are affected including athletes, parents, coaches, officials, teachers, caregivers, and military veterans. It also serves as a referral source for athletic trainers, rehab specialists, and physicians.

You can visit the page HERE.