Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Head Injury • If you suspect a spinal injury, manually stabilize the head and neck. • Do not move the victim unless it is necessary. • Do not wash a head wound that is deep or has major bleeding. • Do not remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury. Seizures/Convulsions • Involuntary jerking may occur after a brain or skull injury. This training guide is provided online for individual use only. Reprinting for classroom distribution is prohibited. • Protect the victim from hitting nearby objects. • Do not try to stop the jerking movements in a seizure. Doing so can cause injury to the bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissue. Head injury. A significant blow or force to the head can result in injury to the soft-tissue of the brain within the skull. The greatest danger in a closed head injury is the increase in pressure caused by bleeding, or swelling of the brain. Increasing pressure will damage sensitive brain tissue. Surgical intervention is often the only treatment that can prevent significant injury or death. An open injury with direct impact to the brain, such as a wound caused by a bullet, can also result in longlasting functional impairment or death. Signs and Symptoms • Unresponsiveness. • Confusion or sleepiness. • Clear or bloody fluid draining from the nose, mouth, or ears. • External bleeding/protruding brain matter. • Facial bruise, swelling, or scalp wound. • Nausea/vomiting. • Seizures. • Severe headache/stiff neck. • Inability to move one or more limbs. • Changes in pupil size or shape. First Aid • Assess, Alert, and Attend the ABCs. • If wound is bleeding, place an absorbent pad directly over the area. • If the pad becomes soaked with blood, apply another one over it. • Do not remove blood-soaked dressings. • Do not place an object in a seizure victim’s mouth. Doing so is dangerous and may cause further injury. When Caring for Children If a child begins to play or run immediately after getting a bump on the head, serious injury is unlikely. However, the child should be seen by a healthcare professional and closely watched for 24 hours after the incident. You should contact the child’s doctor if the child vomits more than once or twice. Vomiting is more common in younger children and is less likely to be an urgent sign of danger than it is in an adult.41 When Caring for Older Persons Injuries to the brain and skull due to falling are highest among people 65 years and older. First aid for older persons with an injury to the skull or brain is the same as for any victim. Prevention of head injuries Always use safety equipment during activities that could result in head injury. These include seat belts, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and hard hats. Helmets reduce bicycle-related head and facial injuries for people of all ages, in all types of accidents, including those involving motor vehicles.42 Three practices have been associated with reducing firearm injuries in homes with children and guns: • Keep the gun locked. • Keep the gun unloaded. • Store ammunition locked in a separate location.43 30 Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace Bone, Joint, and Muscle Injuries

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace Contents Basic First Aid Emergency Action Steps Severe Bleeding and Shock Major Wounds Minor Wounds Burns Bites and Stings Dental Injuries Eye and Nose Injuries Injuries to Limbs Injuries to the Spine Head Injury Sudden Illness Specific Conditions Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Endnotes About This Program

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