Helmet Use - Information for Clubs, Coaches and Parents

On July 1, 2011 Skate Canada implemented a Helmet Use policy. This policy was implemented as a proactive safety measure to help protect members in the early stages of the CanSkate program that are learning how to skate. Skate Canada believes it is an appropriate time to implement such a policy to help prevent future injuries to its members that are learning how to skate. In the development of the policy Skate Canada consulted various groups of individuals including parents, and the policy was approved by the Skate Canada Board of Directors earlier in 2011.

Skate Canada is proud of its CanSkate program, the best learn-to-skate program in Canada, and we will continue to develop policies and programming that create a better and safer learn-to-skate experience for our skaters. If you would like more information on helmet use and injury prevention we recommend you visit Parachute Canada.

Coaches, clubs or skating school should not dictate that a skater should not wear a helmet.  

• Skaters working on STAGE 5 and below, as well as all skaters in the PowerSkate program, MUST wear CSA approved hockey helmets.
• Skaters working on STAGE 6 or higher may choose to continue to wear a helmet at their discretion. The skater, parent/guardian have the final say as to whether or not the skater will or will not wear a helmet.
• Coaches are in charge of ensuring what a skater wears on the ice is safe. This applies to clothing, hair, skates etc.

How should the hockey helmet fit?

• A hockey helmet should fit snug to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Make sure the chinstrap can be adjusted so it gently makes contact under the chin when fastened.
• For an adjustable helmet, open it to the largest setting and gradually begin to downsize the helmet until a comfortably snug fit is achieved. The helmet should rest on the head so that the rim is one finger width above the eyebrow and making contact with the top of your head.
• Although most helmets are lined with protective foam, some helmets will feel better than others. Try on different brands of helmets for fit and comfort.
• All CSA certified helmets have a sticker indicating their certification.

Why only hockey helmets?

• Hockey helmets are designed to help protect against head injuries occurring on ice, whether from a fall or collision. A bicycle helmet, for example, is designed to protect against head injuries should a fall occur while riding a bicycle. It is important to ensure that when a skater is on the ice, they are protected with equipment designed for their sport or activity.

Are face masks required as well?

• Face masks are not mandatory; however young skaters may benefit from the added protection.

Are used hockey helmets acceptable?

• Hockey helmets and face protectors sold in Canada must meet safety standards set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). If the CSA sticker is not present, throw the product away. Hockey helmets must have labelling with the date of manufacture and have a chin strap.  CSA takes the position that the life span of a helmet is not easy to determine and so CSA does not give expiry dates for hockey helmets. CSA advocates that “consumers should exercise good judgement as to the suitability of a hockey helmet for play. Helmets that are cracked, have loose fitting or missing liner pieces, or that have been subjected to a severe blow should be replaced. For a hockey helmet to function effectively, it must be in very good working order and worn properly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”

Can a parent sign a waiver absolving the club from any liability and allow their child to participate without a helmet?

• No. The requirement to wear a helmet is a Skate Canada Policy and all clubs and members must abide by our policies. Therefore, in order to participate in the CanSkate program all skaters who have not achieved Stage 5 in the CanSkate program or who lack good balance and control must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet while on the ice.

Why has up to and including Stage 5 been selected as the benchmark for helmet use?

• Skaters who lack good control/balance when skating forward, backward and have difficulty stopping, as well as maneuvering around obstacles on the ice are at a higher risk of being unable to control a fall, regardless of their age.
• The CanSkate program has been developed to introduce basic skating skills to beginners in a safe and sequential manner. The learning progressions leading to and included in Stage 5 allow skaters to gain the necessary skills (balance, agility, and control) required to safely participate on the ice. While it may be likely that many Stage 5 skaters can skate reasonably well, ice surfaces can be very unpredictable and there is always a risk of falling, no matter what stage a skater is at. CanSkaters participate in a group environment with other skaters on the ice of different levels who may fall and cause other skaters to fall.

This is an additional cost for parents. Does Skate Canada provide any incentives or fee reductions for CanSkate members having to purchase a helmet?

• Most hockey helmets retail for approximately $50. Many CSA approved hockey helmets are adjustable and could be used for many years of skating both within the club and recreationally outdoors during the winter months. Skate Canada does not currently offer incentives for parents.

I am a coach. What do I do if there is a skater on the ice that should be wearing a helmet, but is not?

• The helmet policy is not optional for clubs therefore should a skater who, according to our policy must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet, arrives at the rink and wishes to go on the ice without a helmet, he/she must be refused entry onto the ice surface.
• Coaches are aware of this new policy and coaches should not be put into a situation where a skater who must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet is on the ice without the proper helmet. If this happens, the coach should escort the child off the ice as he/she does not meet the Skate Canada helmet policy requirement to participate in that program. Coaches must ensure the safety of the skaters at all times therefore if a skater is on the ice without an approved hockey helmet, this is a safety concern that must be addressed.
• A coach cannot be reprimanded for enforcing Skate Canada Rules and Policies within a club.
• Coaches should encourage and positively reinforce the use of hockey helmets in the CanSkate program

What other tips could you provide regarding prevention of falls and head injury?

There are several ways to avoid head injury, in addition to wearing a helmet. The following are some basic guidelines:

• Use quality equipment - skates with good support, proper fit, laced correctly and sharpened regularly help the skater maintain control on the ice - therefore less chance of falling
• Dress appropriately - no scarves, overly bulky snowsuits, or hair in the face as this may restrict movement, vision
• Warm up and cool down appropriately - to avoid muscle strain and stress on the joints
• Use skill progressions to prepare for more difficult moves; coach must ensure that beginners are taught proper way to fall and get up
• Ensure coaches have valid first aid certification
• Group activity and practice areas must be well-supervised; during skill circuits and drills, skaters should be travelling in one direction to avoid collisions.
• Use pylons to mark any holes or cracks on the ice.
• Teaching aids must be safe and appropriate for the level of skater.
• Ensure sufficient space between skaters while executing skills.
• The number of skaters on the ice should be appropriate to the size and skill level of the skaters, the size of the ice surface and the nature of the activity.
• Enforce on-ice safety rules:
• get up quickly after falling down
• look in the direction of travel when skating backwards
• no pushing, playing tag or other horse play
• no gum, candy on the ice
• keep rink doors closed during sessions
• stops should be done a safe distance from the boards
• keep first aid kit accessible

My club is planning to host a Bring a Friend Day and there will be participants on the ice whose skating skill level may not be known prior to the session beginning. What should our club do?

• In order to ensure the safety of all the skaters all "friends" must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet, no matter their skating ability. This will also ensure the coach(es) will be able to begin the session promptly engaging the participants which will provide a positive and fun experience for everyone.

How can I identify a hockey helmet that is CSA approved? Where will the logo appear on the hockey helmet?

• The CSA approved logo will be found on the back of the hockey helmet affixed to the outer shell of the helmet. For more information about CSA standards visit www.csa-international.org

Incident Reporting

Incident Report Form

When should an incident report be completed?

It is at the discretion of the individual responsible at the time of the incident whether or not an incident report should be filled out. From a safe sport perspective, it is better to overreport than underreport especially if injury benefit and insurance claims can stem from the incidents.

Please keep in mind anytime a skater falls and bumps their head, an incident report must be completed in case they may suffer from a concussion.  An incident report must also be completed if a skater sustains any other injury. This information is useful and required when dealing with injury benefit and insurance claims stemming from the incident.

Skate Canada strongly encourages you to also report any incident that might help us improve the overall safety in the organization.  

What is the purpose and benefits of an incident report?

• To record details of an unusual event that occurs at the facility, such as an injury.

• Guarantee insurance compliance.

• This tool will allow us to effectively collect and analyze incident information related to skating.

• Detect trends by club such as bad ice, poor lighting, and ventilation issues.

• This information will allow us to proactively implement preventative measures and best in class safety programs.

What is involved in using this tool?

Once the online incident report form is completed and submitted – (by a club board member, skating school administrator, coach or section), an email confirmation (including a copy of the incident report form) is automatically sent to the person that submitted the form for the club's records.

How you can help us promote this tool?

Should you witness an incident/accident at your local club, please make certain that Skate Canada’s Online Incident Report is completed and submitted to us within 30 days of the incident.

Share and promote the use of the Online Incident Report with your affiliated clubs and fellow coaches.

Respect In Sport - Activity Leader Training

This training is being offered at no cost to Skate Canada coaches, officials, team leaders, club board members, club/skating school administrators, National Team and NextGen athletes only.

Note: The estimated time to complete this program is 3 hours which can be completed at your own pace and convenience.

Program Access Instructions:

• If you have an existing Activity Leader certificate, select "Import a Certificate" and follow the prompts.

• If you have an existing profile in any other Respect Group program, select "Register your Profile" and then"Look-Up".

• If this is your first time registering for a Respect Group Program, select "Register your Profile" followed by "Register".

• Complete registration and select "Submit" at the bottom of the page. With successful registration, you will be directed to the Home Page of the program.

• To re-access the program, return to the same URL indicated above and enter the username and password created during registration.

General Information:

• Respect Group programs run most effectively on traditional PC and MAC computers using any common browser.

• iOS and Android mobile devices may be used with third-party browsers such as the Puffin Browser available via the App Store or the Google Play store. If using mobile devices, it is recommended you connect via wifi and not a cellular connection as the programs are multimedia in nature.
• Numerous Customer Support tools are available for any questions you may have before login as well as within the program. Prior to logging in you will see buttons to retrieve usernames and passwords, and to look up your certificate number. Inside the program, the Help button is available to connect you with a Customer Support Representative.

To start the training today click the following link: https://skatecanada.respectgroupinc.com 

Safe Sport Fee

Skate Canada places great importance on creating a fun and safe environment for our skating family, especially children and youth. We create this atmosphere as a reflection of our safety culture that extends throughout the organization. Our goal is to position ourselves as the Safe Sport leader in Canada and the world.  

Skate Canada has always strived to create a positive sport environment built on the values of fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun. We are proud to support the True Sport movement and its principles including: Go For It; Keep It Fun; Play Fair; Stay Healthy; Respect Others; and Give Back.

Sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including bullying and harassment, physical and sexual abuse and mental and physical injury. Our sections, clubs, skating schools, coaches, registrants, parents and all other stakeholders expect best-in-class safety programs that will address the full spectrum of issues. 

For us to follow best-in-class standards and ensure sustainability of the Safe Sport initiative, a fee of $3 per registrant, which includes skaters, coaches, club/school board members, officials and on-ice volunteers, is to be collected by clubs and skating schools in conjunction with the registrant and the injury benefit fees. Payment of these fees by clubs and skating schools will be collected by Skate Canada in the normal course.

This is a critical step in the development of the National Safe Sport program and Skate Canada’s dedication to providing a safe and fun environment.  Additionally, we will be in a position to provide increased resources and support to clubs, schools, coaches and sections. All fees collected will be used exclusively to support this initiative.

For questions on the Safe Sport Program, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Anti-Doping - Notice of Doping Control

Participants must be aware that doping control tests may be conducted by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) in accordance with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. To avoid an inadvertent positive test and the consequences of an anti-doping rule violation, athletes are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Check the Global DRO to determine if any prescription or over-the-counter medications or treatments that are banned by the WADA Prohibited List.
• Review medical exemption requirements if you require the use of a banned medication for a legitimate medical reason.
• Do not use supplements, or take precautions prior to doing so. Supplement products cannot be verified by the CCES or in the Global DRO. A lack of industry and government regulation makes it impossible to confirm their ingredients. Read more: Supplements
• Review the steps of the doping control sample collection procedures

For additional resources and general information about anti-doping, please contact the CCES:   

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Call toll-free: 1-800-672-7775
• Online: cces.ca/athletezone

Anti-Doping - The Canadian Anti-Doping Program

The Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) can be downloaded or consulted online.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) is the custodian of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP); the set of rules that govern anti-doping in Canada. The CADP consists of several components such as in- and out-of-competition testing, education, medical exemptions, and the consequences of doping violations. The CADP is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and all international standards.

Skate Canada has adopted the CADP which means that you can be confident that you are part of a world-class anti-doping program that is designed to protect athletes’ rights and ensure a level playing field. Skate Canada’s Anti-Doping Policy reflects and supports the CADP. 

While the CCES administers anti-doping for the Canadian sport community, you may also be subject to the rules of your international federation. 

The CCES recommends that athletes take the following actions to ensure they don’t commit an inadvertent anti-doping rule violation:

• Know your rights and responsibilities as an athlete with regard to anti-doping. 
• Always comply with a testing request if you are notified for doping control. 
• Check all medications and products before taking them to ensure they do not contain ingredients that are banned. 
• Verify your medical exemption requirements. 
• Do not take supplements, but if you do, take steps to minimize your risk. 
• Get the latest news. Sign up to receive CCES media releases and advisory notes. 

Additional Resources and Information

• The CCES AthleteZone is a hub of resources and information for athletes and their support personnel.
• The Global DRO provides athletes and support personnel with information about the prohibited status of specific substances based on the current WADA Prohibited List. 
• Cannabis In Sport - information and resources available
• Read more about the Canadian Anti-Doping Program 
• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) works towards a vision of a world where all athletes compete in a doping-free sporting environment.
• The CCES is a proud and active member of the True Sport Movement - a movement that is based on the simple idea that good sport can make a great difference.
• The Electronic Communications Standard of Conduct is available for online viewing. 
• Electronic Communications Protocols for Coaches, Skaters, Athletes is available for online viewing.

 For additional resources and more about anti-doping, please contact the CCES  

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Call toll-free: 1-800-672-7775
• Online: www.cces.ca/athletezone

Anti-Doping - True Sport Clean 101 (Untracked) eLearning Module

This version of the e-learning course is not tracked.

http://cces.ca/truesportclean101untracked