Rugby Australia Head Injury Fact Sheet

Player Information

The signs and symptoms of concussion may occur immediately or may develop over minutes, hours or days. It is possible that people feel better soon after a head injury, but that does not mean they have not suffered a concussion. The changes in your brain may develop over some time and may persist for days and weeks, even after a relatively minor hit.

Some of the signs of concussion include (but are not limited to);

Suspected or definite loss of consciousness
Disorientation Incoherent speech
Confusion
Memory loss
Dazed or vacant stare
Headache
Dizziness
Difficulty concentrating
Sensitivity to light Ringing in the ears
Fatigue
Vomiting
Blurred vision
Loss of balance

Rugby Australia takes concussion very seriously and if there is any doubt, Rugby Australia has instructed all participants to err on the side of caution. Therefore, the message for all players’ is:

IF IN DOUBT SIT THEM OUT

What to Do

You must now follow Rugby Australia Standard Care Pathway of concussion management.

Having been recognised as having a potential concussion, you should next make an appointment to see a medical doctor in the next 1-2 days. This may be a GP or a specialist Sports and Exercise Physician or another medical doctor. It may not be a physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, trainer, or masseur.

This medical doctor will assess you and guide your progress over the next steps in the process. Whilst waiting to see the medical doctor, you should take things quietly and be in the care of a responsible adult at all times.

Note: The player must completely rest for a minimum of 24 hours after injury. The required time of rest varies from player to player, so a medical doctor will specify the minimum time of rest for each individual player.

It is advisable when making an appointment to see a medical doctor to note the following;

An assessment can take 30 minutes, so a long appointment should be requested at the time the appointment is booked
Take a copy of the Concussion Management Medical Doctor Information with you
Take a copy of the Referral and Return Form (section 1 completed)
Take a copy of the SCAT5 to the doctor if done elsewhere

What not to Do

Be left alone
Drink alcohol
Drive a car
Handle heavy machinery
Swim alone
Watch TV or play computer games if they irritate your symptoms
Take anti-inflammatory medications or any pain killer stronger than Panadol unless instructed by your doctor

Red Flags

The signs and symptoms of concussion can sometimes be the same as more severe head injuries. If the following signs and symptoms occur, they may be a sign that there is something more serious happening. These are called RED FLAGS and if they occur you should immediately attend the nearest Accident and Emergency Centre, or ring 000 for an ambulance.

Deteriorating conscious state (i.e. becoming drowsier) Increasing confusion or irritability
Behaving unusually or a change in their normal behavior Fit, seizure or convulsions
Double vision Slurred speech
Continuing unsteadiness on their feet – Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs Severe or increasing headache
Repeated vomiting – more than once etc.
Severe or unusual neck pain

Rugby Australia Concussion Management Procedure provides information on the process and the obligations on all participants, it is important that you read this document and understand your obligations. For further information please refer to this.

NOTE: A player must provide a completed Rugby Australia Concussion Referral & Return form to their team manager for presentation / submission to the competition manager prior to returning to fullcontact training and / or match play.