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#AskPracMed – What are the signs of concussion after a head knock?

Concussion signs can be varied and are not always immediate. Key things to watch for include altered mental status: confusion, disorientation, or behaviour that comes and goes, unequal or unreactive pupils, nausea, drowsiness, and any loss of consciousness however brief. Any dysfunction in the limbs or abnormal posturing is a serious sign. If the person lost consciousness at any point, experienced seizures, or is showing any of the above signs, they should be treated as a medical emergency and transported to hospital for observation. Do not let them drive or be left alone.

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Simon Carkeek

Simon is a former NZDF Recon Operator and Patrol Commander with over a decade of service, including two deployments to Afghanistan, Solomon Islands peacekeeping, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. Domestically, he responded to the Christchurch earthquakes and the Scotts Ferry floods. After service, Simon spent nearly five years in private contracting across Asia Pacific and the Middle East — working as a PSD Team Medic, Site Security Manager, and setting up medical clinics in austere environments where the nearest hospital was a long way away. He's a former action guy and a self-described meatball medic. He founded PracMed NZ because most first aid training wasn't preparing people for real emergencies. It still isn't, everywhere else.