If you've been injured on the playing field, your initial reaction might be to go straight to the emergency room. But before you make your way to the ER, you should evaluate your injury. The emergency room is the best place to go if you have a serious injury, while an Urgent Care Center is most appropriate when your problem is not as severe. The following guidelines can help determine if your injury warrants Emergency Room or Urgent Care attention.

You or somone you know should be taken to the ER if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Sever bleeding
• Serious headache
• No Pulse or inability to breathe
• Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up
• Spinal cord or back injury
• Difficulty breathing