The following guidance is intended to provide information on how to recognise sports concussion and on how this should be managed from the time of injury through to safe return to play.
At all levels in all sports if an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they must be immediately removed from play. If in doubt, sit them out.
No-one should return to play on the same day with suspected concussion. No-one should drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol after a suspected concussion. All head injuries should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Those who are suspected of being ‘knocked out’ or have persisting symptoms such as headache, vomiting or unusual behavior, need to be reviewed in an accident and emergency department (A&E).
