What to Do
Need help right now?
Think you’ve seen or experienced a possible concussion? Follow these steps.
These are red flags:
- neck pain or tenderness
- double vision
- weakness or tingling or burning in their arms or legs
- intense headache or one that’s getting worse
- seizures
- blacking out
- losing awareness of surroundings
- repeated vomiting
- getting more restless
- being irritable or aggressive
If the player has any of these, they need urgent transfer to a hospital.
There are other signs and symptoms that don’t require urgent transfer to a hospital, but still need close attention.
Signs of concussion are things you can watch a player for, like:
- Being confused or disoriented
- Looking blank or vacant
- Struggling with balance or coordination
- Not seeming like their usual self
- Struggling to concentrate or remember things
Symptoms of concussion are things you can ask the player about, like:
- Headaches
- Nausea (feeling like you’re going to vomit)
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness (feeling sleepy)
- Blurred vision
- Feeling more irritable, sad or nervous than normal
- Being mentally ‘foggy’
- Being sensitive to light or noise
- Just feeling ‘not quite right’
If a player has any of these signs or symptoms, they need to come off the ground. Even if they don’t show any signs or symptoms, remember these don’t always happen straight away. If in doubt, sit them out.
Even if players don’t have signs or symptoms, continue to keep an eye on them. Symptoms can develop minutes, hours or even up to a few days after the impact. For bigger impacts that have you worried about the player - take them off the ground, even if they don’t have signs or symptoms.
If players have signs or symptoms either right away or in the days after the impact, they need to be handballed to a GP. If their symptoms are severe, go straight to the hospital emergency department.
If you haven’t already, download the HeadCheck app. You’ll be guided through simple questions to spot and act on the signs and symptoms of concussion right where you are.
For more in-depth information, refer to the official guidelines: The Management of Sports Concussion in Australian Football.
How Long Does it Take to Recover?
Bouncing back from a concussion isn't a sprint – it's more of a slow jog. It’s also different for everyone, because everyone recovers at their own pace. The main thing is to take it slowly. Let's break down the recovery timeline and what you need to know to get players back in the game safely.
This educational material is based on the Australian Football League’s guidelines for ‘The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football’ and research previously conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). It is general in nature and not intended to be clinical advice or a substitute for professional treatment and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek advice from a qualified professional, as Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Matterworks Pty Ltd and the Australian Football League, and their current and former officers, employees and contractors do not take any responsibility from reliance on this material.