B.C. is in dire need of more concussion education.

A new survey from the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit found that just 11 per cent of the 900 people surveyed are confident they can recognize a concussion when it happens. It was also discovered that 76 per cent were unaware that concussions are possible without hits to the head and 62 per cent didn含羞草研究社檛 know a person with a concussion doesn含羞草研究社檛 need to be woken up every few hours.

Dr. Shelina Babul, a sport injury specialist at BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital, says quick action is the most important aspect of concussion response.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 all about immediate recognition and knowing what to do,含羞草研究社� she told Black Press Media Thursday (Nov. 17). 含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e come a long way in the last decade, but we have a long way to go.含羞草研究社�

An estimated one in every 165 Canadian adults suffer a concussion each year 含羞草研究社� although this is considered by Babul and other experts as an underestimate in-part because many people are likely to not seek medical attention for this kind of injury.

Without instant awareness of a concussion, longer recoveries, post-concussion syndrome and lingering symptoms become more likely.

含羞草研究社淲e have developed the concussion awareness training tool含羞草研究社攁n online educational resource含羞草研究社攂ecause concussions can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.含羞草研究社�

Recently, 26 universities across the country implemented concussion training for student-athletes. Part of the education is centred on making athletes less nervous about losing scholarships or playing time if they have suffered a bump, blow, jolts or shakes to the head.

There is also an effort to increase awareness in high schools and adding concussion education to the curriculum.

含羞草研究社淲e want people to recognize what causes concussions, what you may be feeling, the importance of stopping your activity immediately and knowing how to respond,含羞草研究社� Babul said. 含羞草研究社淎n immediate 24 to 48 hours of physical and cognitive rest is pivotal to recovery.含羞草研究社�

Signs of a concussion can include dizziness, nausea, headache, light or sound sensitivity, ringing in the ears, irritability, fogginess, difficulty concentrating or confusion. Meanwhile symptoms that require immediate medical attention can be loss of consciousness, persisting and worsening headache, slurred speech and repeated vomiting.

Anyone, including athletes and coaches, can learn more about concussions through free, 30-to 55-minute training modules at .