Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 1 Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness for Company Commanders and First Sergeants Insert Briefer Name Here

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 2 Part I: View TBI 101 Video Available on Army Training Network

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 3 ●Have you ever had a concussion/mild TBI? If so, how did it happen? How did you feel after the event or during your recovery? ●Why do you think that Company Commanders and First Sergeants need to be aware of the impact of concussion/mild TBI? ●How do you think recovering from a concussion/mild TBI will impact a Soldier? –What about his or her unit? Family? ●How can Company Commanders and First Sergeants best communicate the importance of concussion/mild TBI? Video Discussion

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 4 Part II: Facilitated Presentation

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 5 ●Understand how a concussion, also known as mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), can affect your Soldiers ●Understand how concussion impacts mission readiness ●Understand the basics of concussion – Causes, signs, symptoms, recovery ●Discuss the actions Company Commanders and First Sergeants need to take following potentially concussive events in deployed settings ●Discuss available resources related to concussion Lesson Objectives

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 6 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) ●A TBI is a disruption of brain function that results from a blow or jolt to the head, a penetrating injury to the head, or forces generated from a blast or explosion ●Penetrating brain injury –Gunshot wounds –Stab wounds –Fragments ●Closed brain injury –Mild (also known as concussion) –Moderate –Severe

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 7 ●Concussion –A blow or jolt to the head or forces generated from a blast or explosion that results in: ●Alteration of consciousness (temporary confusion) OR ●Loss of consciousness (passing out//blacking out) OR ●Post-traumatic amnesia (difficulty remembering part or all of the event) –Can occur even without being knocked out/losing consciousness ●Possible causes of concussion –Hits to the head during combat –Hard landings during airborne operations –Vehicle accidents –Sports or recreational injuries –Blasts Concussion

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 8 Number of concussion cases in U.S. Army Soldiers worldwide from Diagnosed Concussions ►The overwhelming majority of the 102,407 concussions that occurred in the Army from occurred in garrison

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 9 ●Goal: A cultural change following concussive events ●Vision: Every Warrior treated appropriately to minimize concussive injury and maximize recovery ●Mission: Produce an educated force trained and prepared to provide early recognition, treatment & tracking of concussive injuries in order to protect Warrior health Army Concussion Management Education & Prevention Early Detection Tracking & Treatment Rehabilitation, Recovery & Reintegration EducateTrainTreatTrack

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 10 Impact of Concussion on Soldiers

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 11 ●Soldiers must see medical as soon as possible after a suspected concussion ●Every concussion is different ●Soldiers recover at varying rates and respond differently to treatment ●Most Soldiers can expect a full recovery ●Symptoms may be more severe with each additional concussion, and they may take longer to resolve Treatment and Recovery

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 12 What Activities HELP Brain Recovery? The Medical provider will advise when the Soldier can gradually resume cognitive/thinking and physical activities

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 13 What Activities HURT Brain Recovery?

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 14 ●The medical provider will advise when it is safe for Soldiers to return to duty ●The majority of symptoms resolve with rest and proper treatment Returning to Duty

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 15 Department of Defense Instruction : Policy Guidance for Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting ●Mandatory events requiring command and medical evaluation and 24 hour rest period Involvement in a vehicle blast event, collision, or rollover A direct blow to the head or witnessed loss of consciousness Presence within 50 meters of a blast (inside or outside) Exposure to more than one blast event (the Service member’s commander shall direct a medical evaluation)

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 16 ●HEADS acronym –Potential symptoms following concussion ●Leaders must evaluate all Soldiers exposed to a mandatory event using the HEADS acronym –This does not replace medical evaluation –Soldiers need to see medical as soon as safely possible to assess for concussion ● to order HEADS cards Leadership Action

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 17 Medical Action

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 18 ●TBI Training is mandated per DA EXORD (Annex B) each year and before deployment ●All training materials are located on ATN (includes medical training) –Type “TBI” in the Search ATN field Additional Training Information

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 19 ●Concussion continues to be a major military concern with operational impact ●Early detection, leading to appropriate treatment, is the cornerstone for successful recovery –Company Commanders and First Sergeants should remember the HEADS acronym and perform an “eyes on” assessment as soon as possible after a possible concussion (does NOT replace medical assessment) –Soldiers need to get checked out by medical as soon as possible –Avoidance of a second concussion before adequate recovery is key to preventing a more serious injury ●After a concussion, Soldiers need both physical and cognitive (i.e., thinking) rest to allow the brain to heal Key Points

Version 3.0 UNCLASSIFIED 20 Questions/Discussion