Prevention Articles

First Degree/Simple:

Second Degree/Complex:

1. Confusion, also called altered state of consciousness which lasts for less than 15 minutes (e.g. asks the same question repeatedly such as "what happened?", OR does not know simple facts like who the opposition is, or does not know the score).
2. No loss of consciousness.
3. Dizziness, headaches, nausea, memory loss.
4. CANNOT RETURN TO PLAY WITHOUT APPROVAL OF PHYSICIAN.

1. Confusion which lasts longer than 15 minutes or a loss of consciousness (does not open eyes, or if eyes open, cannot seem to focus; does not answer to name, may be limp).
2. Loss of consciousness may only last seconds but is still serious and must result in removal of the player from the contest.
3. Player needs to be seen immediately by a physician.
4. CANNOT RETURN TO PLAY WITHOUT APPROVAL OF PHYSICIAN.

Symptoms Commonly Seen with Concussion

1. Vacant stares (befuddled facial expressions).
2. Delayed verbal and motor responses (slow to answer questions or follow instructions).
3. Confusion and inability to focus attention (easily distracted and unable to follow through with normal activities).
4. Disorientation (walking in the wrong direction, unaware of time, date and space).
5. Slurred or incoherent speech (making disjointed or incomprehensible statements).
6. Gross observable incoordination (stumbling, inability to walk tandem/straight line).
7. Emotions out of proportion or circumstances (distraught, crying for no apparent reason).
8. Memory deficits (athlete repeatedly asking the same question that has already been answered, or inability to memorize 3 of 3 words or 3 of 3 objects in 5 minutes).
9. Any period of loss of consciousness (paralytic coma, unresponsiveness or arousal).

First Degree/Simple:

Second Degree/Complex:

1. Remove from contest.
2. Monitor symptoms (confusion, headache, etc.). If the symptoms persist longer than 15 minutes from the time of injury, athlete should be referred to a physician immediately. Concussion should now be treated as a Second Degree/Complex Concussion.
3. Always check for a possible neck injury.
4. Notify parent or guardian and do NOT administer any medication.
5. CANNOT RETURN TO PLAY WITHOUT APPROVAL OF PHYSICIAN AND AT LEAST 24 HOURS SYMPTOM-FREE REST.

1. Always check for neck injury.
2. Remove from contest and disallow return that day.
3. If unconscious or condition deteriorates, stabilize the head and neck and activate the Emergency Action Play including transfer by ambulance.
4. Immediate referral to physician is required.
5. CANNOT RETURN TO PLAY WITHOUT APPROVAL OF A PHYSICIAN AND AT LEAST ONE WEEK OF SYMPTOM-FREE REST.

When An Athlete Experiences Multiple Concussions in One Season

Another important aspect of these guidelines is that the only known cure for concussion is rest. It takes time for the brain cells to recover. When there is more than one concussion in the same season, a physician may recommend a much longer period of rest from sports. If an athlete has three concussions in the same year, the physician may recommend rest away from the sport for the remainder of the playing season.