HEAD INJURY
CAUTION
IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
RECOMMENDED MODULES FOR TREATMENT
INJURIES
WOUNDS
ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO DO FIRST
CHECK FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS
There may be:
- Brief period of impaired consciousness
- Scalp wound
- Dizziness or nausea
- Loss of memory of events at the time of, or immediately preceding the injury
- Mild generalized headache
- Confusion
For severe head injury there may also be:
- History of a severe blow to the head
- Deteriorating level of response
- Loss of consciousness
- Leakage of blood or blood-stained watery fluid from the ears or nose
- Unequal pupil size
how to treat it
TREATING A HEAD INJURY
1. Sit the casualty down and give him a cold compress to hold against the injury. Carry out an assessment of the casualty’s level of consciousness using the AVPU scale (opposite). Treat any scalp wounds by applying direct pressure to the wound.
2. Regularly monitor and record vital signs—breathing, pulse and level of response. Watch especially for changes in his level of response.
3. When the casualty has recovered, ask a responsible person to look after him.
4. If a casualty’s injury is the result of a sporting accident, do not allow him to return to the sport until he has been fully assessed by a medical practitioner.
5. Advise the casualty to seek medical help or arrange transportation to a hospital if he develops signs and symptoms of a worsening head injury, or if ANY of the following apply:
– He is over 65 years of age
– He has had previous brain surgery
– He is taking anticoagulant (anticlotting) medication
– The head injury is accompanied by drug or alcohol intoxication
– There is no responsible person to look after him
CAUTION
Seek medical advice if you notice signs of a worsening head injury such as:
- Increasing drowsiness
- Persistent headache
- Confusion, dizziness, balance problems, and/or memory loss
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting episodes after the injury
- Double vision
- Seizure