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㽶ƵֱWe have a long way to go㽶Ƶֱ: 90% of British Columbians can㽶Ƶֱt recognize a concussion

Dr. Shelina Babul with BC Children㽶Ƶֱs Hospital says quick action integral to recovery
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Dr. Shelina Babul says more education is needed for both coaches and players in high-contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer. Photo by Rachel Ciampi/Auburn Reporter

B.C. is in dire need of more concussion education.

A new survey from the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit found that just 11 per cent of the 900 people surveyed are confident they can recognize a concussion when it happens. It was also discovered that 76 per cent were unaware that concussions are possible without hits to the head and 62 per cent didn㽶Ƶֱt know a person with a concussion doesn㽶Ƶֱt need to be woken up every few hours.

Dr. Shelina Babul, a sport injury specialist at BC Children㽶Ƶֱs Hospital, says quick action is the most important aspect of concussion response.

㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs all about immediate recognition and knowing what to do,㽶Ƶֱ she told Black Press Media Thursday (Nov. 17). 㽶ƵֱWe㽶Ƶֱve come a long way in the last decade, but we have a long way to go.㽶Ƶֱ

An estimated one in every 165 Canadian adults suffer a concussion each year 㽶Ƶֱ although this is considered by Babul and other experts as an underestimate in-part because many people are likely to not seek medical attention for this kind of injury.

Without instant awareness of a concussion, longer recoveries, post-concussion syndrome and lingering symptoms become more likely.

㽶ƵֱWe have developed the concussion awareness training tool㽶Ƶֱan online educational resource㽶Ƶֱbecause concussions can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.㽶Ƶֱ

Recently, 26 universities across the country implemented concussion training for student-athletes. Part of the education is centred on making athletes less nervous about losing scholarships or playing time if they have suffered a bump, blow, jolts or shakes to the head.

There is also an effort to increase awareness in high schools and adding concussion education to the curriculum.

㽶ƵֱWe want people to recognize what causes concussions, what you may be feeling, the importance of stopping your activity immediately and knowing how to respond,㽶Ƶֱ Babul said. 㽶ƵֱAn immediate 24 to 48 hours of physical and cognitive rest is pivotal to recovery.㽶Ƶֱ

Signs of a concussion can include dizziness, nausea, headache, light or sound sensitivity, ringing in the ears, irritability, fogginess, difficulty concentrating or confusion. Meanwhile symptoms that require immediate medical attention can be loss of consciousness, persisting and worsening headache, slurred speech and repeated vomiting.

Anyone, including athletes and coaches, can learn more about concussions through free, 30-to 55-minute training modules at .



Dillon White

About the Author: Dillon White

I joined the Mission Record in November of 2022 after moving to B.C. from Nova Scotia earlier in the year.
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