Beginning February of 2012, coaches, school staff, young
athletes, and their parents can receive free online training in
recognizing and managing concussion by going to ORCAS’ Brain
101: The Concussion Playbook at http://brain101.orcasinc.com.
Concussions are a Serious Problem Although nearly 4 million
sports and recreation-related concussions are reported every
year in the United States, many researchers believe numbers are
much higher. Experts think many incidents go unreported and
untreated in part because coaches and athletes just don’t know
the signs or understand the potential seriousness of brain
injuries. “They write them off as dings and bellringers,” says
Dr. Ann Glang, Science Director and recipient of the 2011 North
American Brain Injury Society Researcher of the Year Award.
Concussions can cause physical, emotional, and cognitive
problems. Young brains are particularly vulnerable, since they
are still developing. When concussions occur, the brain needs
both physical and mental rest to heal. If tr