Do you know what to do if your child gets a concussion?

It used to be that concussions were something you had to worry about if you were a football player or an elite athlete. But in December, Global News reported that concussions have become an epidemic for kids in Canada.

Dr. Lisa Fischer, who works at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic, where they saw over 2,000 head injuries in the last year, was quoted as saying, “there’s been a lot of attention paid to elite athletes, but the real problem and the real focus needs to be on youth. These kids are getting hurt. And they don’t understand concussion. They don’t act on concussion, or they’re ignoring concussion.”

Rowan Stringer, a high-school rugby captain tragically lost her life because nobody yet understood the full impact of head injuries. But thanks to Rowan’s Law — a new regulation that will increase awareness about how to prevent and treat concussions — parents, coaches, teachers, and anyone working with kids will be more equipped to react properly when faced with a child who has a possible concussion.

This infographic by Parachute Canada includes, amongst other things, when to rest after an injury, when it’s permissible to begin aerobic activity, and when kids truly are ready to get back on the field and play.

This is information we can’t afford not to know. Even if your child doesn’t play sports, a fall from the monkey bars can result in a concussion, so get to know the signs of what to look for, and when in doubt seek medical attention after any injury to the head. If your kid has a concussion, the doctor may recommend vestibular rehabilitation.