Any head injury should be considered serious until further evaluation is done. This is best left to trained professionals, but in some situations a health professional is not readily available. Learn how to recognize serious trauma, treat and seek help immediately.
Head Trauma Assessment
Step 1
Assess for scene safety. Is the injured person in an area where you have access to him without endangering yourself? If it appears safe, approach. If not, do not approach.
Step 2
Call for help. If you have a mobile phone or with someone who does, ask him or her to call 911 immediately.
Step 3
Put gloves on before touching anything.
Step 4
Assess level of consciousness. Start by seeing if the person is awake and can talk to you. You will run them through the A.V.P.U. scale. The scale is used to tell you, if he is Alert, responds to your Voice, only responds to Pain (things like a sternal rub or pinching the skin on the ear) or completely Unresponsive. If he is unresponsive, find out if he is breathing and has a pulse. If he's awake, see if he responds appropriately to your questions. Listen for slurring of words or use of inappropriate words. If he is lying down, ask him not to get up.
Treatment
Step 1
Take blood pressure, measure pulse, respiration rate and recheck every five to15 minutes (every five minutes if he's unconscious, every 15 if he's aware and talkative). Document this for later use.
Step 2
If there is any visible bleeding, gently set a dry sterile dressing over the wound. Do not apply pressure.
Step 3
If there is a penetrating injury, do not touch or remove the object or let him touch or remove the object either.
Step 4
Properly apply a neck brace or support his head with your hands until a brace can be applied, then move him onto a back board. Secure the head and body to the board and transport to the hospital.
Step 5
Hand over to medical professionals where X-ray, CT or MRI will be taken to determine the extent of the damage and further treatment options.
Tips and Warnings
- Call 911 immediately for any suspected head injury. Get the injured person to medical professionals ASAP. You can purchase or make your own emergency kit to handle such an emergency. Keep a copy of the A.V.P.U. or Glasgow Coma Scale (a more detailed questionnaire/exam to determine level of consciousness) in your emergency kit. Try to have anyone with a head injury sit down with their back supported or apply neck brace and back board while standing.
- Never walk into a scene that may be potentially dangerous for yourself. You will add to the number of people needing aid if you get hurt. Never attempt to move someone with a head injury for a spinal injury may be associated with it.
Things You'll Need
- Latex or Nitrate gloves
- Penlight or Flashlight
- A.V.P.U. Scale
- Sterile dry dressing
- Blood Pressure Cuff and Stethoscope
- Neck brace
- Back board
- Phone
- Pen and Paper
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Emergency: Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, Ninth Edition, Jones et. al, 2005
- Traumatic Brain Injury
