A concussion is not “just a bump to the head”. It is a brain injury caused by a knock or blow to the head, face or neck, or by a sudden change in motion that makes the brain move inside the skull. In Australia, anyone with suspected concussion should be assessed by a doctor, and if the person is confused or unconscious after a head injury, you should call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance straight away.
That matters because concussion symptoms are not always obvious in the first few minutes. Some people lose consciousness, but many do not. A person may instead look dazed, repeat themselves, complain of a headache, feel sick, become dizzy, or struggle with balance, memory or concentration. Serious complications can also show up later, which is why close monitoring after a head injury is so important.
At CPR First Aid, this is exactly why practical first aid training matters. Learning the DRSABCD action plan, how to respond to head injuries and illnesses, when to use the recovery position, and when to begin CPR can help you respond calmly while medical help is on the way.
Quick Answers for Concussion First Aid
Use this as a fast reference after a head knock. If symptoms are severe, worsening, or you are unsure, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
| Question | Quick answer |
| What is a concussion? | A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden change in motion. |
| What is the first thing to do? | Stop the activity, make the area safe, and assess the person using DRSABCD. |
| When should you call 000? | Call 000 if the person is confused, unconscious, has a seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, neck pain, weakness, double vision, or a deteriorating level of alertness. |
| Should every suspected concussion be checked by a doctor? | Yes. Anyone suspected of having concussion should be assessed by a doctor. |
| What helps in the first 24 to 48 hours? | Relative rest, no alcohol, no driving, limited screen time, time off work or study if needed, and gentle activity only if tolerated. |
| What should be avoided? | Aspirin, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen unless a doctor says otherwise, alcohol, hard exercise, and another head knock. |
| How long does recovery take? | Many adults recover within about 2 weeks, though children often take longer and some people have symptoms for weeks or months. |
These points reflect current Australian guidance from Healthdirect and Better Health Channel, with treatment advice supported by Mayo Clinic’s concussion guidance.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain injury that causes short-term changes in neurological function. It can happen after a sports collision, a fall, a car accident, a workplace incident, or any impact that causes the brain to move suddenly inside the skull. Importantly, concussion does not usually cause loss of consciousness, so you should not wait for someone to “pass out” before taking the injury seriously.
Common symptoms include confusion, memory problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, difficulty concentrating, feeling unsteady on your feet, and sometimes seizures or jerky movements. Better Health also notes signs such as saying the same thing repeatedly and loss of short-term memory.
If you are reading this because you are trying to work out whether a head knock is minor or serious, treat concussion as a medical issue, not a wait-and-see inconvenience. CPR First Aid’s Head Injuries and Illnesses guide also stresses that any casualty with a head injury should receive medical attention and be monitored for confusion, dizziness, bleeding, or altered consciousness.
What to Do if You Get a Concussion
If someone may have a concussion, the safest approach is to think in steps.
1. Stop the Activity Immediately
Do not let the person continue sport, work, driving, or any task that could lead to another blow to the head. A second concussion before recovery can be dangerous, and Healthdirect notes that a second concussion before the first has healed can cause second impact syndrome, which may be life-threatening.
2. Make the Area Safe and Use DRSABCD
Check for danger first, then responsiveness, send for help, airway, breathing, CPR and defibrillation as needed. CPR First Aid’s DRSABCD guide follows the Australian Resuscitation Council approach and is the right framework for any serious first aid situation.
3. Call 000 Urgently if the Person Is Confused or Unconscious
Healthdirect is clear: if someone is confused or unconscious after a head injury, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. You should also seek urgent emergency care for signs such as neck pain or tenderness, seizures, double vision, loss of consciousness, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, worsening alertness, vomiting, a bad headache, unusual agitation, or a skull that looks a different shape.
4. Keep Movement to a Minimum
A person with a head injury may also have a neck or spinal injury. Better Health Channel advises encouraging the injured person to minimise movement of the head and neck and avoiding unnecessary movement, because moving them could worsen head, neck or spinal damage.
5. Monitor Airway and Breathing
If the person becomes unresponsive, keep watching their airway and breathing. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately. If they are unconscious but breathing, airway protection is critical. CPR First Aid explains why the recovery position is used to help keep the airway open and reduce the risk of choking on vomit or fluids, but with a head injury you should still try to keep the head and neck aligned as much as possible and wait for ambulance guidance where you can.
6. Arrange Medical Assessment Even if Symptoms Seem Mild
Better Health states that anyone suspected of having concussion should be assessed by a doctor. Healthdirect also says it is important to see a doctor if you think you have concussion, even when symptoms do not look dramatic at first.
When to Call 000 or Go to the Emergency Department
Some concussion signs are non-negotiable emergency warnings. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 000 for an ambulance if the person has any of the following after a head injury: confusion, unconsciousness, seizures, repeated or persistent vomiting, a severe or worsening headache, neck pain, weakness or tingling in the limbs, worsening drowsiness, double vision, agitation, restlessness, a skull deformity, clear fluid from the ears or nose, or bleeding that will not stop.
You should also be especially cautious if the person improves for a while and then becomes worse again. Better Health notes that serious head injury symptoms can include a short or long loss of consciousness, brief seizure activity, confusion, black eyes or bruising behind the ears, and deterioration after an initial period of seeming better.
A good rule is this: when a head injury comes with confusion, altered alertness, repeated vomiting, seizure, or possible neck injury, do not try to “manage it at home first”. Call 000.
How Do You Treat a Concussion at Home?
Home care is only appropriate when emergency red flags have been excluded and a doctor has advised that the person can recover safely outside hospital. For most people, the first step is relative rest for the first 24 to 48 hours. Healthdirect says to avoid driving and alcohol, limit screen time, take time off work or study, and keep activity gentle, such as walking.
That said, older advice about locking yourself in a dark room is no longer the best approach. Mayo Clinic explains that in the first couple of days after concussion, relative physical and mental rest helps recovery, but complete rest in a dark room without stimulation is not recommended. Instead, reduce activities that clearly worsen symptoms, then gradually build daily activity back up as tolerated.
Pain relief also needs care. Healthdirect says a doctor may suggest avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen, sleeping tablets, and sedating pain-relief medicines early in recovery. Mayo Clinic adds that for headache, a healthcare professional may advise a pain reliever such as acetaminophen, but aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided unless a clinician says they are safe because of bleeding risk.
Observation matters too. Mayo Clinic advises having someone stay with the injured person and check on them for at least 24 hours to make sure symptoms are not getting worse. Better Health adds that the first 3 days are especially important for watching for repeated vomiting, worsening headache, loss of coordination, repetitive questions, agitation, or unusual drowsiness.
What Not to Do After a Concussion
The biggest mistake is rushing back to normal too soon. Do not return to contact sport, gym sessions, heavy physical work, or risky activities while symptoms are still present. Healthdirect advises only resuming contact sports 14 days after all symptoms have gone, and return to more vigorous exercise should happen in line with medical advice.
Do not drink alcohol in the first phase of recovery. Do not drive until a doctor says it is safe. Do not ignore new or worsening symptoms. Do not assume that no loss of consciousness means no concussion. And do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory pain relievers unless a doctor tells you to.
Another mistake is focusing only on the head and forgetting the neck. Better Health reminds first aiders that a person with a head injury may also have injured their spine, which is why minimising unnecessary movement is so important.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Concussion?
Healthdirect says most adults with concussion recover fully within about 2 weeks, although children usually take longer. Some people, however, develop persistent post-concussive symptoms that continue for weeks or months. These can include headache, poor concentration, memory problems, mood changes, and sensitivity to noise or light.
Recovery is not identical for everyone. Age, the severity of the injury, previous concussions, job demands, study load, and whether symptoms are provoked by screen use or physical activity can all affect the pace of return to normal life. Mayo Clinic’s treatment guidance supports a gradual increase in both mental and physical activity once those activities no longer trigger a significant worsening of symptoms.
If symptoms worsen in the first few weeks, or if they simply do not settle, see a doctor again. Healthdirect and Better Health both stress ongoing medical review when symptoms persist or escalate.
Concussion First Aid at Sport, School, Work or Home
The same first aid principles apply whether the injury happens on a football field, at a worksite, in the playground, or at home after a fall. Stop the activity, assess the person, look for red flags, and do not send them back to play, work, or driving just because they “seem okay now”. Concussion symptoms can be delayed, and complications can develop later.
For workplaces and community settings, it helps to have clear first aid procedures and trained responders. CPR First Aid’s HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course is a nationally accredited course that includes CPR and meets workplace first aid requirements, while the HLTAID009 Provide CPR course focuses on CPR skills for emergency response. CPR First Aid also provides practical learning through resources such as Head Injuries and Illnesses, first aid charts and resources, and guides on how to perform CPR.
If you want more confidence with emergency response, learning how to assess danger, protect an airway, recognise deteriorating consciousness, and respond correctly while waiting for expert is far more useful than relying on social media myths. First aid training gives you a repeatable process under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is First Aid for a Concussion?
Concussion first aid means stopping the activity, making the area safe, checking the person using DRSABCD, calling 000 for any emergency red flags, minimising head and neck movement, monitoring airway and breathing, and arranging medical assessment. Even mild-looking cases should be checked by a doctor.
What Do You Do if You Have a Concussion?
If you think you have a concussion, stop what you are doing, avoid driving, alcohol and strenuous activity, and get assessed by a doctor. In the first 24 to 48 hours, rest relatively, limit screen time, and only do gentle activity if it does not worsen symptoms.
How Can You Treat a Concussion?
Treatment depends on severity, but the main approach is relative rest followed by a gradual return to normal activities. Home care may be appropriate after medical assessment, but worsening symptoms, repeated vomiting, severe headache, seizure, confusion, or loss of consciousness need urgent medical care.
How Do You Treat a Concussion Headache?
Do not self-prescribe strong pain relief after a head injury. Healthdirect says doctors may advise avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatories and sedating medicines early on, and Mayo Clinic says to ask a healthcare professional whether acetaminophen is appropriate. Seek medical advice before taking medication after a concussion.
Do You Need Hospital Treatment for Every Concussion?
Not every concussion requires hospital admission, but every suspected concussion should be medically assessed. Emergency department care or ambulance transport is needed when there are danger signs such as confusion, unconsciousness, seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, double vision, neck pain, limb weakness, or a deteriorating conscious state.
How Long Should You Rest After a Concussion?
Healthdirect recommends rest for the first 24 to 48 hours, followed by a gradual return to activities. Mayo Clinic supports relative rest rather than complete shutdown, then a step-by-step increase in physical and mental activity as symptoms allow.
When Can You Go Back to Sport After Concussion?
Do not return to sport on the same day as the head injury if concussion is suspected. Healthdirect advises only resuming contact sports 14 days after all symptoms have gone, and progression back to exercise should follow medical advice.
What First Aid Course Helps With Concussion Response?
For broad emergency response skills, CPR First Aid’s HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course is the main option, as it includes CPR and covers practical first aid response. If you specifically want to strengthen resuscitation skills, the HLTAID009 Provide CPR course is also available.
Final Word
If you are searching for treatment for concussion, the safest answer is this: take it seriously, stop activity immediately, look for emergency red flags, and make sure the person is medically assessed. In the first 24 to 48 hours, relative rest, close observation, and a gradual return to normal activity are the standard approach. What you should not do is ignore symptoms, keep playing, drink alcohol, drive, or push through headaches and dizziness.
For anyone who wants to be better prepared for head injuries and other emergencies, CPR First Aid offers practical training through the HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course and the HLTAID009 Provide CPR course. You can also explore CPR First Aid’s related guides on head injuries and illnesses, DRSABCD, the recovery position, how to perform CPR, and first aid charts and resources for more practical support.
References
Healthdirect: Concussion
Healthdirect: Head injuries
Better Health Channel: Head injuries and concussion
Better Health Channel: Head and spinal injuries first aid
Mayo Clinic: Concussion diagnosis and treatment
CPR First Aid: Head Injuries and Illnesses
CPR First Aid: What does DRSABCD stand for?
CPR First Aid: The Importance of Recovery Position