Concussion Safety in Sports
Reduces risk of further injury and supports
safer return to play
What is Concussion Safety?
A concussion is a common type of head injury caused by a forceful impact or quick motion to the head or body, leading to rapid movement of the brain within the skull. Concussions can happen to anyone at any time. Concussions are serious injuries that affect how the brain functions. Every concussion, its impact and recovery, is different.
Why is Concussion Safety important?
In sports and recreation, it is important that everyone is aware of the next steps they can take to minimize the harmful effects of concussion. Learning to recognize, respond, manage, and prevent concussions helps keep people safe and healthy.
Athletes may underreport symptoms due to pressure to keep playing or uncertainty about their injury.
Coaches might also hesitate to remove players if they’re unsure of the severity.
Creating a supportive environment where everyone is knowledgeable and feels safe reporting injuries helps reduce risks of further injury and supports a safer return to play.
Practical Tips for Concussion Awareness and Safety
Learn to Recognize and Respond
Understand the signs of a concussion, like dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Know how to respond if you suspect someone has a concussion.
Find Support
If you need professional support, find a trained provider through SportMed BC.
Create a Supportive Culture
Encourage teammates to report any suspected injuries and support them in taking time off to recover. Normalize putting health first.
Report Incidents
Use tools like the Concussion Incident Report to document injuries for your team’s safety.
Get Trained
Visit the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) website for free training on recognizing, managing, and preventing concussions.
Use their concussion assessment tool, incident report form, or concussion management flowchart to manage suspected concussions.
Red Flag Symptoms
If someone shows any of the following Red Flag Symptoms, call 911 immediately:
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Loss of consciousness
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Severe or increasing headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Loss of vision or double vision
- Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
- Deteriorating conscious state
- Seizure or convulsion
- Visible deformity of the skull
