Health & First Aid

Head injury: concussion warning signs

Head injury: the right reflexes in a few simple steps.

Written by Mohamed IDBRAHIM · Updated octubre 13, 2026 · 7 min read

Immediate actions

  1. 1 Watch for vomiting, drowsiness or confusion for 48 hours.
  2. 2 Apply a cold pack to the bump.
  3. 3 Rest without screens or sport.
  4. 4 Go to the ER for unequal pupils, repeated vomiting or blackout.

What not to do / warning

Symptoms appearing hours later are common — keep watching.

When a head injury happens, the first minutes matter. Follow these steps to act safely and without panic.

What to do right now

  1. Watch for vomiting, drowsiness or confusion for 48 hours.
  2. Apply a cold pack to the bump.
  3. Rest without screens or sport.
  4. Go to the ER for unequal pupils, repeated vomiting or blackout.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Acting before removing the immediate source of danger.
  • Panicking or skipping the official procedures.
  • Following unverified advice from random websites.

How to prevent this in the future

Regular checks, keeping emergency numbers visible and preparing an essentials kit go a long way. Save this guide for offline access.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first?

Ensure everyone is safe, remove the source of danger, then call the relevant number or begin the official procedure.

When should I call emergency services?

Whenever life, serious injury or fire is involved. When in doubt, call — dispatchers would rather check than miss an emergency.

Sources & references

  • CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/)