First Aid Advice
FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG
Head Injury advice – when to play on
We have all witnessed the inevitable clash of
heads during a match and the dilemma of the
coach and match officials to do the right thing. This
uncertainty is compounded by the player, pumped
full of match adrenaline, desperately trying to hide
the extent of the head injury to be able to play on.
The RFU guidance makes it easier for everyone to
do the right thing and ensure the player has every
opportunity to make a full recovery.
Concussion is a disturbance to the normal
working of the brain usually resulting from a blow
to the head. Repeated concussions are linked to
serious long term brain conditions.
Initial symptoms of concussion – in Rugby the
most common symptoms that you may see on
the pitch are the following: Headache, confusion,
blurred vision, nausea, difficulty concentrating,
fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, feeling in a fog,
memory impairment.
However, concussion can also affect someone’s
mood, balance, sleep, thinking, concentration and
senses. Most symptoms resolve in 7-10 days and
many much sooner.
Most important advice following a head injury
• Don’t make things worse – important to take
seriously and rest
• Do not risk injuring again
• Rest your brain = lots of sleep, avoid reading,
screens and sports for at least 24 hours / 48
hours for child
Children and adolescents may need one or 2
days off school and a gradual return to academic
study. They can start light reading and small
amounts of screen time, but should monitor
It is important to realise that concussion is and stop if there are signs of any recurrence of
an injury to the brain and this injury needs to be symptoms.
rested to fully recover, in a similar way to that of
a sprain or strain. The injury to the brain occurs
At least 2 weeks’ with no training to give the
during the collision, when the brain is shaken brain a chance to fully recover.
within the skull. If someone rests appropriately
following concussion they will nearly always make
a full recovery.
8 Issue 67