Athletes, tell your coaches, athletic trainers, and parent. Never ignore a bump or blow to the head even if you feel fine. Also, tell your coach right away if you think you have a concussion or if one of your teammates might have a concussion.

Get a medical check-up. A doctor or other health care professional can tell if you have a concussion and when it is ok to return to play.

Give yourself time to get better. If you have a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have another concussion. Repeat concussions can increase the time it takes for you to recover and may cause more brain damage. It is important to rest and not return to play until you get the ok from a healthcare professional that you are symptom-free.