What To Do If A Concussion Occurs?

If you suspect that someone has a possible concussion, implement your four-step concussion action plan:

Concussion Safety First Step: Remove the athlete from play, even if they say that they can continue to play. Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion if your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head or body. When in doubt, keep the athlete out of play.

Understand that many athletes want to return to the game. This songs tells their story.

“Put Me In Coach” John Fogerty

Concussion Safety Second Step The athlete should be evaluated by a health care professional with knowledge and experience in evaluating concussions and concussion symptions. Parents, coaches, spectators should not try to judge the severity of the head injury.

If there are no health care professionals immediately available you attempt to perform an initial concussion assesemnt by using the following concussion guidelines:

• Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body
• Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
• Any memory loss immediately following the injury
• Any seizures immediately following the injury
• Number of previous concussions (if any)

Concussion Safety Third Step: Promptly inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the possible concussion. Make sure they are aware that their athlete should be seen by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion.

Concussion Safety Fourth Step: Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says they are symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.

A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.