What should I do if a player might be concussed?

Question

Accepted Answer

England Hockey has adopted the UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport for all hockey under its jurisdiction. The message is "If in doubt, sit them out." Anyone with visible signs or symptoms of a head injury must be removed from play immediately. They take no further part, even if the symptoms go. They should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional, or through NHS 111, within 24 hours. Red flags or other serious injuries need urgent assessment, calling 999 if necessary. No return to training, competition or PE within 24 hours. They shouldn't drive, ride a bike, operate machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours either. No return to competition within 21 days of the injury, after a graduated return to activity and sport. The only exception is a player managed by sports-concussion specialists in an enhanced care pathway. Symptoms still there after 28 days need GP assessment. Loss of consciousness happens in fewer than 10% of concussions, so a player doesn't need to be knocked out to be concussed.