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Concussion guidance for officials

The Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport bring together the most contemporary evidence-based information on concussion for everybody involved in sport.

Everybody has a responsibility to report a suspected concussion - including officials

While it's not the official's responsibility to diagnose concussion or decide whether a participant should continue to compete, they may be the first to notice signs that a participant has suspected concussion.

The information and resources below have been designed to help officials recognise the symptoms of concussion and understand their role in managing concussion.

Concussion guidance for sport officials - Dr David Hughes, AIS Chief Medical Officer

"While it may not be the official's role to provide first aid care to the athlete, it's important that the official does pause play and that gives the opportunity for others such as the coach, the team manager or a first aider to get to the athlete, remove the athlete from the field of play and provide appropriate care."

What is concussion?

Concussion is a brain injury caused by a knock to the head or anywhere on the body, where the force is transmitted to the head. it can also be caused by a fall.

Concussion involves temporary neurological impairment. The symptoms may evolve over the hours or days following the injury. While all concussions should be assessed by a doctor, most will resolve without the need for specific treatment. Rest, followed by gradual return to activity is the main treatment.

While all concussions should be assessed by a doctor, most will resolve without the need for specific treatment. A short period (24 to 48 hours) of relative rest, followed by gradual return to activity is the main treatment.

All concussion is serious.

What are the signs and symptoms of concussion?

On field signs of concussion

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Lying motionless for >5s
  • Falling unprotected to the playing surface
  • Seizure or tonic postures
  • Lack of balance or coordination
  • Dazed, blank/vacant stare
  • Behaviour change, not themselves
  • Athlete reports significant, new or progressive concussive symptoms
  • Clutching their head
  • Being slow to get up
  • Suspected facial fracture

If the officials becomes aware that a participant has displayed signs of concussion:

  • The official should pause the competition
  • A first aider, coach or team manager should take normal first aid precautions, including neck protection.
  • The coach or team manager should remove the participant from play.

What are concussion symptom red flags?

If a participant displays any of the concussion symptom red flags they should be transported straight to hospital in an ambulance.

Concussion red flags

  • Neck pain
  • Increasing confusion, agitation or irritability
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Seizure or convulsion
  • Weakness or tingling/burning in the arms or legs
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Unusual behavioural change
  • Loss of vision or double vision
  • Visible deformity of the skull
  • Loss of consciousness

If in doubt, sit them out.

For more information visit: Concussion in sport Australian Sports Commission