RECOGNIse

Concussion can cause permanent brain damage. If an impact occurs to any person's head area, SUSPECT CONCUSSION until it's ruled out.

• Immediately STOP the activity the person was involved in

• If the person's condition safely allows, REMOVE them from the immediate vicinity of the activity

• FOLLOW the steps outlined in this app

If ANY OF THESE RED FLAGS are present, suspect a concussion injury that needs urgent medical assessment and management:

• NECK pain or tenderness

• Double VISION

• Bad or worsening HEADACHE

• ARM or LEG weakness or tingling

• Increasing restlessness, AGITATION, or aggression

• VOMITING

• Fading CONSCIOUSNESS

• UNCONSCIOUSNESS

• SEIZURE or convulsion

If you see, or even think you see, ANY CONCUSSION RED FLAGS, urgently call for medical help:

• If no qualified doctor is present, RING 000 or 112 for an ambulance. Qualified medical assessment is needed

• Apply FIRST AID, following the standard first aid process (check and clear Dangers, check Response. If no response, Send for help, check and clear Airway, check Breathing. If abnormal or no breathing, begin Compression CPR, apply Defibrillation)

• The concussed person may also have a spinal cord injury. DON'T MOVE them unless their airway needs to be cleared, and DON'T REMOVE ANY EQUIPMENT they're wearing unless you're trained to do so safely.

CONCUSSION SIGNS you might see include:

• FACE cut, graze, bruise, or swelling

• SLOW TO GET UP after head impact

• DIFFICULTY WALKING or standing (unbalanced, uncoordinated, slow, heavy, or stumbling movements)

• CONFUSED thinking or speaking

• Looking BLANK or vacant

• Lying on the ground NOT MOVING

• PALE face

CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS the person may complain of include:

• Headache or feeling of pressure in their HEAD

• NECK pain (red flag)

• Blurred VISION (red flag) or light-sensitive vision

• Feeling sick (NAUSEA) or vomiting (red flag)

• MENTAL PROCESS changes (concentration or memory difficulties)

• Feeling FOGGY, slow, or just not right

• Feeling DIZZY or having trouble balancing

• Feeling TIRED, sleepy, or lacking in energy

• Increased hearing sensitivity to NOISE

• EMOTIONAL PROCESS changes (anxiety, nervousness, sadness, or irritability)

Anyone with signs or symptoms of concussion SHOULD BE URGENTLY REFERRED TO A MEDICAL DOCTOR for assessment and care

Check the injured person for memory loss. The extent and duration of the loss are important concussion clues. Ask, for example:

• WHERE are we at the moment?

• WHY are you here?

• HOW did you get here?

• WHAT did you do last night?

• WHO did you play last match?

• WHO won the last match you played?