Recognise and Remove
Concussion symptoms may occur straight away or up to 48 hours after the event happened. Extra caution is needed for younger players. This is because children and adolescents often take longer to recover. Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for when you suspect a player has been concussed.
RED FLAGS
If a player presents with any of these Red Flag symptoms they must seek urgent medical attention:
- Neck pain
- Increasing confusion
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
- Decreasing levels of consciousness
- Bad or worsening headaches
- Unusual behaviour change
Remember the 4 Rs of Concussion
The signs of concussion aren't always obvious. Check in on your mates and remember the 4 Rs: Recognise, Remove, Recover, Return.
WHAT YOU SEE
- Loss of consciousness
- Lying on the ground not moving or slow to get up
- Loss of balance/coordination
- Disorientation/confusion
- Visible injury to face or head (especially in combination with any other physical signs)
- Grabbing/clutching of head
- Dazed, blank or vacant look
Let's chat concussion: Don't ignore it
Listen to our All Blacks and Black Ferns talk about the importance of not ignoring a concussion.
WHAT THEY SAY
Failure to answer any of these questions may suggest a concussion:
- Where are we playing or training?
- Which half/what is time is it now?
- Who scored last in this game/practice?
- What team did you play last week’s game?
- Did your team win the last game?
WHAT THEY FEEL
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Difficulty with bright light and/or loud noises
- Tiredness
- Problems with memory
- Find it hard to think or concentrate
- More emotional
- Irritability
REMOVE
Make Sure The Player:
- sees a doctor within 24-48 hours. However, if they have any red flag symptoms, make sure the player gets urgent medical attention.
- is with someone responsible for 1-2 hours
- does not drink alcohol or go home by themselves.
- does not drive until being cleared by a doctor.