How to Prevent Concussions in Sports

The best way to avoid the potentially serious complications that come with sports-related concussions is to prevent them altogether. While most concussions are suffered in contact sports such as football or ice hockey, steps should always be taken to protect your head no matter what your game of choice may be.

Things You'll Need

• Athletic shoes (designed for the sport you're playing)
• Helmet or special protective headgear

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase proper footwear for the athletic endeavor you're engaging in. A significant number of concussions are caused when a player slips and hits his head on the way down. By wearing footwear designed for the activity you're engaging in, you mitigate the chances of having an accidental fall that may cause a head injury.

• 2

  Purchase a durable but lightweight bike helmet, even if you're only a casual cyclist. You don't have to be going very fast on a bike to suffer a serious head injury, and children especially should be protected. In fact, in many places, the law now requires children to wear a helmet whenever they ride a bike.

• 3

  Prevent head injuries by wearing a helmet designed specifically for the sport you play. Always wear a batting helmet when playing baseball; never engage in football--touch or contact--without a helmet; and don't step foot on the ice without a hockey helmet on.

• 4

  Learn some basic first aid to treat concussions, as they can still happen in spite of even the best-laid plans and most effective preventative measures. Keep the victim awake and talking, and prevent them from moving to the greatest possible degree until an ambulance arrives.

• 5

  Call for help at once if a player suffers a head injury, especially one that causes them to lose consciousness, even if only for a brief period.