Head Injury

Classification

Head injury can be classified as minor, moderate and severe as follows:

Minor - GCS 13 to 15

Moderate - GCS 9 to 12

Severe - GCS 3 to 8

The above system relies on the use of the GCS. However, in the sporting context this classification has limited relevance since, unless the participant’s GCS is 15, immediate extrication from the field of play and transfer to the nearest emergency department is mandatory if there is no improvement.