Concussions - are serious and if not obvious at first, they can get very serious very rapidly. Often the injured has LOC (loss of consciousness) but not always. Expert medical care is almost always needed and if not, err on the side of caution.


Steps

1. First do the ABCs. Airway, breathing and circulation.
2. If those are satisfactory, check for LOC. (Above)
3. General questions to check responsiveness. Such as, their name, their location, what just happened to them and so forth. Failing this test means a trip to the ER and rapidly.
4. Often, complaints subside only to appear later on with severity. Watch for vomiting. That is THE flag for someone who was okay but has now slid into danger. Trip to the ER (Emergency Room) right away and always use 911 when possible.
5. Keep the patient awake for a long period after the suspected injury to see if they are worsening. Sleepiness is another sign of need for a 911 call.
6. Children have something like a "cliff" when it comes to injury and illness. They might be doing fine and then - off the "cliff" into greater severity. Adults tend to go down hill. Pediatric patients almost always go in one shot from healthy to out-of-it.
7. Concussions are brain injuries. Nothing to treat lightly. However, there is a difference in scale, especially for adults. Children, remember, have the "cliff" response.
8. Look towards their eyes, flashlight very helpful. Can they respond to your questions and do their eyes focus on the light and dilate correctly? Slow to respond eye movement (or none!) and sluggish or incorrect answers warrant a 911 call and a trip to the ER.
9. Long term damage is common with repeat injury. Muhammed Ali, the World Champion Boxer, now suffers terribly from Parkinson like illness because of all the blows to the head.
10. When injured, check the ABCs. Then, check if any LOC. Then level of responsiveness. Adults slide into injury and illness. Children press on toward reaching a "cliff" and crash straightaway.
11. Minor relative bumps may not be a concussion and the injured person responds fine and has no complaints. Time will tell, and soon, especially if there is any vomiting.
12. 911 for bumps and bruises may not be useful. However, concussions are very serious brain injuries and immediate treatment is required.
13. The injury is cumulative. Troy Aikmen of the Dallas Cowboys wisely stopped play after suffering several.
14. Also, you may ask your fire department and/or EMS people to explain it to you and maybe a brief guideline - especially for parents of youngsters.
15. It Is A Serious Injury!

Tips

• Never wrong to "over treat" especially with pediatric patients.
• Always monitor the injured person, adult or child, for a long period afterwards to be sure they do not worsen.
• Vomiting is BIG FLAG to get to a hospital ER straight away.
• Concussions are cumulative. If it happens more than once, try a different hobby or sport.
• Children have a "cliff" while adults slide down hill into illness and injury. Just because a child (under 18) reports nothing wrong, watch for that "cliff" to occur.

Warnings

• Serious brain injury.
• 911 is always a best option for concussions.
• The full extent of the injury does not show immediately.
• Vomiting is THE Flag that means go right away to the ER.
• Ask the firemen or EMS folks to explain the injury and best responses.
• The injury is cumulative.
• A concussion can result in a coma if the victim passes out