Sideline assessment
All players exhibiting signs or complaining of symptoms suggestive of concussion should be immediately removed from the field of play and be medically assessed.
Step 1: Red Flags
- Neck Pain or tenderness
- Double vision
- Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs
- Severe or increasing headaches
- Seizure or convulsion
- Loss of Consciousness
- Deteriorating conscious state
- Vomiting
- Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
Concussion Recognition Tool 5© outlined in the World Rugby Concussion education module for the General Public also provides a list of concussion signs and symptoms.
Step 2: Observable Signs
- Lying Motionless on the playing surface
- Balance/ gait difficulties/ motor incoordination: stumbling, slow/laboured movements
- Disorientation or confusion, or an inability to respond appropriately to questions
- Blank or vacant look
- Facial injury after head trauma