Head and Spinal Injuries

There is little the First Aider can do about the primary damage caused by the accident but they can be vital in preventing secondary damage due to airway obstruction blood loss or damage to the neck.

Severe head injuries seldom occur in isolation, always continue to check for other injuries.

Intracranial bleeding causing an increase in intracranial pressure is the problem. The compression kills.

If someone in your care has had a bang to the head, look for the following:

• Change in level of consciousness
• Nausea
• Increased drowsiness
• Severe or worsening headaches
• Double/blurred vision – any change in vision
• Irritability or character changes
• Seizures
• Flushed complexion

Get them to hospital if any of these appear.

Possible progression after a blow to the head

• A brief loss of some neurological function after a blow to head! They may continue to have a headache but their status does not get worse. If deterioration occurs, then it is not concussion.
• Classically the casualty is ‘knocked out’ for a few seconds. They wake up to some degree then gradually becoming confused then unconscious. The initial unconsciousness is the concussion, the later deterioration, due to increased intra cranial pressure is the compression.

Skull fractures

Indicates violent forces to head, neck and brain. Look for:

• Blood/Spinal Fluid leakage from ear or nose.
• Blood in the whites of the eye
• Bilateral bruised eyes.
• Battles sign - bruising behind the ear.