Concussion Procedure and Protocol for New Jersey Youth Soccer Concussion:

a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. Medically, a concussion is a complex, pathophysiological event to the brain that is induced by trauma which may or may not involve a loss of consciousness (LOC). Concussion results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms. Signs or symptoms may last from several minutes to days, weeks, months or even longer in some cases.

CONCUSSION SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND MANAGEMENT AT TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS

Step 1: Did a concussion occur?

Evaluate the player and note if any of the following signs and/or symptoms are present:

1) Dazed look or confusion about what happened.

2) Memory difficulties.

3) Neck pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, double vision, blurriness, ringing noise or sensitive to sounds.

4) Short attention span. Can’t keep focused.

5) Slow reaction time, slurred speech, bodily movements are lagging, fatigue, and slowly 6) Answer questions or has difficulty answering questions.

7) Abnormal physical and/or mental behavior.

8) Coordination skills are behind, ex: balancing, dizziness, clumsiness, reaction time.

Step 2: Is emergency treatment needed?

This would include the following scenarios:

1) Spine or neck injury or pain.

2) Behavior patterns change, unable to recognize people/places, less responsive than usual.

3) Loss of consciousness.

4) Headaches that worsen

5) Seizures

6) Very drowsy, can't be awakened

7) Repeated vomiting

8) Increasing confusion or irritability

9) Weakness, numbness in arms and legs