What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a hit, bump, or blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
Important: Even impacts that seem minor can cause a concussion. Always take head injuries seriously.
Concussion Response Overview
When a head injury occurs:
- Stop activity and check for danger signs immediately
- If danger signs are present: call 911 or parent/guardian for immediate medical care
- If no danger signs: monitor for symptoms
- Document the incident and record all symptom monitoring
- Determine response based on symptoms
- Follow up before youth returns to program
Concussion Protocol Assessment & Response
馃憠 Immediately stop activity and check for danger signs
Danger Signs
鈻� Worsening, persistent headache
鈻� Repeated nausea or vomiting
鈻� Weakness, numbness, or poor coordination
鈻� Slurred speech
鈻� Seizures (e.g., shaking or twitching)
鈻� Difficulty recognizing people or places
鈻� Loss of consciousness (even brief)
鈻� Uneven pupils or double vision
鈻� Cannot be awakened or extreme drowsiness
鉁� If Danger Signs Are Present (URGENT)
Immediate Actions
- Call 911
OR - Call parent/guardian to take youth to the hospital immediately (if safe)
Parent/Guardian Communication
- Notify immediately (within minutes)
Documentation
- Complete incident documentation
- Send documentation with youth to the hospital
- Provide a verbal briefing to parent/guardian or emergency responders
Reporting
Follow-Up
- Youth may not return聽without medical clearance
- Contact parent/guardian within 24 hours to confirm:
- Diagnosis (if known)
- Expected timeline for return
- Activity restrictions or accommodations
馃憠 If NO danger signs are present:
- Monitor for symptoms for at least 30 minutes after injury
- Keep youth under supervision
- Restrict all physical and high-stimulation activity
- Provide first aid if needed
Monitoring Schedule
Check and document at:
- Immediately after injury (0 minutes)
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
馃憠 Documentation Requirement
- Record observations at each interval
- Document both the presence and absence of symptoms
- Include the time of each check
Symptom Checklist
Observed / Behavior
鈻� Dazed or stunned
鈻� Confusion
鈻� Repeating questions
鈻� Slow responses
鈻� Memory gaps
鈻� Personality or behavior changes
Physical
鈻� Headache or pressure
鈻� Nausea or vomiting
鈻� Dizziness or balance issues
鈻� Fatigue or feeling tired
鈻� Vision problems (e.g., blurry)
鈻� Sensitivity to light or noise
鈻� Numbness or tingling
鈻� Not “feeling right”
Cognitive
鈻� Trouble thinking, concentrating, or remembering
鈻� Slowed thinking
鈻� Feeling foggy, hazy, groggy, or sluggish
Emotional
鈻� Irritable
鈻� Sad
鈻� Nervous
鈻� More emotional than usual
Re-check Danger Signs
鈻� Worsening headache
鈻� Repeated vomiting
鈻� Weakness, numbness, or poor coordination
鈻� Slurred speech
鈻� Seizures
鈻� Difficulty recognizing people or places
鈻� Loss of consciousness (even brief)
鈻� Uneven pupils or double vision
鈻� Cannot be awakened or extreme drowsiness
鉁� If Symptoms Are Present (NO Danger Signs)
Immediate Actions
- Notify parent/guardian at first sign of symptoms (do not wait until pickup)
- Recommend medical evaluation
Care & Supervision
- Keep youth under supervision until pickup
- Restrict all physical and high-stimulation activity
Documentation
- Complete incident documentation
- Record all symptom observations and monitoring times
Parent/Guardian Communication
- Provide incident documentation at pickup
- Verbally explain:
- What happened
- Symptoms observed
- When symptoms appeared
- Provide concussion resources for guidance on symptom monitoring and when to seek medical care
Reporting
Follow-Up
- Youth may not return to full activity without medical clearance
- Before return, confirm with parent/guardian:
- Diagnosis (if known)
- Activity restrictions or accommodations
鉁� If NO Symptoms Are Observed
Immediate Actions
- Remove from physical activity for at least 30 minutes
- Continue observation during this period
Documentation
- Complete incident documentation
- Record monitoring checks and confirm no symptoms were observed
Parent/Guardian Communication
- Notify the same day (at pickup or earlier if needed)
- Provide incident documentation at pickup
- Provide concussion resources for guidance on symptom monitoring and when to seek medical care
Reporting:
Follow-Up
- If symptoms develop later, treat as Symptoms Present scenario
- Check in with parent/guardian if youth returns and appears unwell
Youth Information
Name: ________________________________________________
Age: ________
Date/Time of Injury: __________________________
Where and How Injury Occurred
Include:
- What caused the impact
- Where on the head the impact occurred (front, side, back, top)
馃憠 Tip: Use a simple head diagram to mark the location of impact
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Injury
Include:
- Staff/witness observations (do not rely only on youth report)
- Previous concussion history (if known)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Symptom Monitoring Log
Document observations at each interval.聽 Include symptoms observed or confirm if none were present.
- 0 Minutes: ________________________________________________________________________________________
- 15 Minutes: ________________________________________________________________________________________
- 30 Minutes: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Notes (if monitoring continues): ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Prevention Reflection
How could a similar injury be prevented in the future?
- Environmental adjustments
- Supervision changes
- Equipment or activity modifications
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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