A concussion is not limited to organized sport. It can follow a fall, collision, workplace incident or blow to the head, neck or body. Symptoms may be subtle or appear gradually, and a person does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion.
With September recognized as Concussion Awareness Month and September 23 designated Concussion Awareness Day in New Brunswick, now is a useful time for workplaces, schools, teams and families to review how they would respond.
Recognize the possible signs
A concussion can affect how a person thinks, feels, moves and sleeps. Possible symptoms include:
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Confusion, slowed thinking or difficulty concentrating
- Unusual fatigue, irritability or simply “not feeling right”
These symptoms may follow an impact to the body even when there was no obvious direct blow to the head. First aiders do not need to diagnose a concussion. Their role is to recognize the possibility, stop further exposure to danger and arrange appropriate care.
Follow the principle: when in doubt, sit them out
If you suspect a concussion:
- Stop the person’s activity immediately.
- Keep them out of sport, physical work, driving and other activities where another injury could occur.
- Stay with them and continue watching for changes.
- Arrange a prompt medical assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional.
- Record what happened, the symptoms observed and any changes while waiting for care.
An athlete with a suspected concussion must not return to the same game or practice. The same safety principle applies at work: an employee who becomes dizzy, confused or unsteady after an impact should not simply “walk it off” and return to machinery, heights, vehicles or other hazardous duties.
Know when to call 9-1-1
Some symptoms may indicate a more serious head or spinal injury. Call 9-1-1 immediately if the person has:
- Lost consciousness or is becoming difficult to wake
- A seizure or convulsion
- Repeated vomiting
- A severe or worsening headache
- Double vision
- Neck pain
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Increasing confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- Difficulty breathing or another immediate threat to life
Avoid unnecessary movement when a spinal injury is possible. Do not remove a helmet or protective equipment unless it is necessary to provide lifesaving care and you are trained to do so. Follow the emergency call taker’s instructions. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR and use an AED as soon as one is available.
Recovery does not mean prolonged complete rest
Current Canadian concussion guidance recommends relative rest during the first 24 to 48 hours, followed by a gradual return to appropriate daily activity. This is different from keeping someone isolated in a dark room until every symptom disappears.
For students, returning to learning should be gradual and adjusted according to symptoms. A student does not have to be completely symptom-free before beginning a supported return to school. Return to sport is a separate, step-by-step process, and activities involving a risk of contact or another fall require medical clearance.
Adults may also need temporary workplace adjustments, such as shorter shifts, additional breaks or reduced exposure to screens, noise, driving, heights and safety-sensitive tasks. Return-to-work decisions should be coordinated with the person’s healthcare provider and applicable workplace or workers’ compensation processes.
Build concussion readiness into your organization
A practical concussion-response plan should identify:
- Who is responsible for stopping an activity
- Who will assess immediate dangers and contact emergency services
- How the person will be supervised until care is arranged
- How incidents and observed symptoms will be documented
- How families, supervisors or designated contacts will be notified
- What medical clearance is required before higher-risk activities resume
Coaches, teachers and supervisors should know that pressure to finish a game, shift or task must never take priority over brain health. A clear policy empowers people to act early without debating whether the injury “looks serious enough.”
Confidence comes from practice
Recognizing concussion signs is only one part of an effective response. First-aid training helps people assess the scene, protect the airway, recognize emergency warning signs, communicate clearly with 9-1-1 and care for someone until professional help arrives.
Atlantic Emergency Medical Training Solutions provides practical first-aid and emergency medical training for workplaces, organizations and communities across Atlantic Canada. Contact AEMTS to discuss training that helps your team respond calmly and confidently when an injury occurs.
This article provides general educational information. It is not individualized medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for recognized first-aid training or assessment by a healthcare professional. Call 9-1-1 when emergency warning signs are present.
Sources
- Public Health Agency of Canada — Concussion: Symptoms and treatment, updated April 24, 2025.
- Parachute — Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, second edition, published March 2024.
- Parachute — Return-to-Sport Strategy, revised April 22, 2024.
- Parachute — Return-to-School Strategy, revised April 22, 2024.
- Canadian Red Cross — Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR, 2025.
- WorkSafeNB — Mild traumatic brain injuries.
- Sport New Brunswick — Concussion Awareness, current guidance accessed September 7, 2026.