Concussion Assessment Toolkit

In Attachment E of the Rule Book 2017 is the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool as follows

Recognise and Remove

Concussion should be suspected if one or more of the following visible clues, signs, symptoms or errors in memory questions are present.

Visible clues of suspected concussion

Any one or more of the following visual clues can indicate a possible concussion:

• Loss of consciousness or responsiveness Lying motionless on ground / slow to get up
• Unsteady on feet / balance problems or falling over / Incoordination Grabbing / Clutching of Head
• Dazed, blank or vacant look
• Confused / Not aware of plays or events

Signs and Symptom of suspected concussion

Presence of any one or more of the following signs & symptoms may suggest a concussion

• Loss of consciousness
• Headache Seizure or convulsion
• Dizziness
• Balance Problems
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling slowed down
• Drowsiness
• "Pressure in Head"
• More Emotional
• Blurred vision
• Irritability
• Sensitivity to light
• Sadness
• Amnesia
• Fatigue or low energy
• Feeling like "in a fog"
• Nervous or anxious
• Neck pain
• "Don't feel right"
• Sensitivity to noise
• Difficulty remembering
• Difficulty concentrating

Memory Function

Failure to answer any of these questions correctly may suggest a concussion:

• "What venue are we at today?"
• " What half is it now?"
• "Who scored last in the game?"
• " What team did you play last week/game? "
• " Did you team win the last game?"

Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY, and should not be returned to activity until they are assessed medically.

Athletes with a suspected concussion should not be left alone and should not drive a motor vehicle.  It is recommended that, in all cases of suspected concussion, the players referred to a medical professional for diagnosis and guidance as well as return to play decision, even is symptoms resolve.

RED FLAGS

If any of the following are reported then the player should be safely and immediately removed from the field. If no qualified medical professional is available, cconsider transporting by ambulance for urgent medical assessment:

• Athlete complains of neck pain
• Deteriorating conscious state
• Increasing confusion or irritability
• Severe or increasing headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Unusual behaviour change
• Seizure or convulsion
• Double vision Weakness or tingling / burning in arms or legs
  

• Remember in all cases, the basic principles of first aid (danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation) should be followed
• Do not attempt to move the player (other than required for airway support) unless trained to so do.
• Do not remove helmet (if present) unless trained to do so.