Serious Injuries

Head Injuries Intro read e-mail Prevention

Bicycle Safety

Helmets Bike wreck Ride on right side of road Rear view mirror

Motorcycle Helmet Law

New law in 1999 Over 18, no helmet required Results in more long term hospital

stays?? Three and four wheeler accidents

Brain Injuries Hard to assess due to:

Unresponsiveness, confusion Brain tissue swells Causes intracranial pressure Brain stem may be squashed by the

pressure Can affect heart/lung functioning

Check for two points of injury Seek medical attention for all

brain injuries! (monitor for 24 hours)

Three Types of Brain Injuries

Concussion Contusion Hematoma

Concussion (3 Grades) Temporary loss of brain function Usually no permanent damage (Can be

severe) “Bell rung” (recognizing concussions p. 177) No bleeding in the brain The longer memory is lost or the longer one

remains unconscious, the more serious Should you let the victim go to sleep? Management: Monitor – seek medical help if

necessary

Contusion

Bruising (bleeding in the brain tissue)of the brain

X-ray or MRI Is typically more serious Management: Monitor and

seek medical help if necessary

Hematoma

Localized collection of blood Blood clot

Most serious type of brain injury

Management: Monitor and seek medical help

Concussion Management in Sports

Wearing a helmet? Leave on unless: Signs of severe head injury Obstructed airway Helmet so loose that neck

stabilization is not possible

Signs of Intercranial

Pressure Memory loss / confusion

Ask questions “What day is it?” Severe headache Vomiting and nausea (esp. > 2 hours) Cerebral spinal fluid Combativeness Weakness, dizziness, lack of mobility Double vision / unequal pupils Seizures / unusual drowsiness Seek medical attention

Spine Injuries

Suspect spinal injury in all head injury victims or severe accidents

Stabilize in position found unless to save life

If need to roll victim over, log roll, stabilize

In water? Do not move? Check for CSM

Spine Injuries #2 Check for:

Painful limb movement Numbness, tingling, weakness, burning

sensation Loss of bowel or bladder control Paralysis Deformity Unequal pupils CSF fluid

Spine Injuries #3

Ask victim: Move toes, fingers, squeeze hand,

press foot against hand Babinski test

Stabilize victim

Chest Injuries Types

Injuries to chest wall Injuries to lungs

Check ABC’s Stabilize: Support with a pillow Conscious: sit up or place with

injured side towards the ground (to ease breathing)

Rib Fractures Painful to move, cough,

breathe Point tenderness Do not wrap (restricts

breathing) Stabilize Encourage deep breathing Seek medical attention?

Flail Chest

Major injury Several ribs in the same area are broken in

more than one place Chest wall may move in opposite

direction from the rest of the chest Stabilize with pillow or hand Place with injured side towards the ground Treat for shock Monitor ABC’s and seek medical attention

Injuries To Lungs Hemothorax

Blood fills chest, lungs can’t expand Pneumothorax – air fills chest cavity Open pneumothorax (sucking chest

wound) Air moves in and out of chest cavity Lungs can’t expand

Tension pneumothorax – air is pulled in, can’t exit

Sucking Chest Wound

Call 911 Place a thin sterile dressing over

the wound. Cover dressing with a plastic bag

or wrap to make an air-tight seal. As victim exhales, tape it in place

on three sides (May use gloved hand)

Victim having trouble or getting worse? Remove, allow air to escape,

then reapply

Severe Blow To Abdomen

Place on side Expect vomiting No foods or liquids Seek medical attention

Protruding Organs Do not re-insert Cover loosely with moist, sterile

dressing or clean cloth If moist is not available, use non

adherant dry dressing Best to wait for EMS (saline solution)

Cover area plastic wrap, taped loosly Then cover with towel or blanket Treat for shock Seek medical attention

Pelvic Injuries

Accompanied by: Pain Shock Internal bleeding Inability to use lower extremities

Damage to bladder and other organs

Determining Pelvic Injuries Gently press downward and

inward at iliac crest Do not press if pain is already

present Pain may indicate broken

pelvis (suspect spinal cord injury)

Pelvic Injuries: What To Do

Treat for shock Pad between thighs Tie knees and ankles together Keep on firm surface Seek medical attention