Concussion Awareness

It is everyone's responsibility (participants; coaches; referees; spectators and families) to look out for suspected concussions in participants.

Any one or more of the following signs may indicate a concussion:

• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness.
• Impact seizure.
• Clutching of the head after contact.
• Lying motionless or rigid, slow to get up.
• Loss of balance or problems with coordination.
• Confusion, a delay in answering questions, dazed, or just having a blank expression.
• Changes in behaviour, such as feeling unusually irritable or more emotional.
• Vomiting.

“If in doubt, sit them out.”

In all types of sport and physical activity, and at all levels, participants with a suspected concussion should:

• be immediately removed from the activity – training, play, or competition
• be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional within 24hrs
• not be left alone for the first 24hrs
• not return to activity until concussion has been excluded by an appropriate healthcare professional
• not take part in any further activity within 24hrs of a suspected concussion.
• rest for the first 24-48hrs
• following a concussion, follow a graduated return to activity.

It's important to follow a graduated return to activity to reduce the risks of:

• a slow recovery
• further brain injury
• long-term problems.

Most symptoms of concussion resolve after a short time, but for some people (children and young adults) this can take longer.