© 2005 by National Safety Council

Serious Injuries

Lesson 6

6-2

Serious Injuries

• Many factors affect how serious an injury is

• Injuries that threaten the airway, breathing, or circulation are life threatening

• Severe bleeding is also serious

• Additional injuries can be very serious and may become life threatening

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Head and Spinal Injuries

6-4

Head and Spinal Injuries

• Any injury to the head may also injure the spine

• When you find a serious head injury, suspect a neck or spine injury also

Skull Fractures

• A skull fracture is life threatening

• Call 911 immediately

• Give care as described in Bleeding and Wound Care

6-6

Brain Injuries

• Include bleeding, swelling, and concussions

• It is difficult to determine seriousness of a brain injury

• Call 911 and give supportive care while waiting for help

6-7

When You See

• Changing responsiveness

• Drowsiness

• Confusion

• Disorientation

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea, vomiting

• Unequal pupils

6-8

First Aid for Brain Injuries

• Have child lie down

• Keep child still and protect from becoming chilled or overheated

• Call 911 and monitor condition

Responsive Child

6-9

First Aid for Brain Injuries

• Check child’s ABCs without moving child unless necessary

• Control serious bleeding and cover wounds with dressing

UnresponsiveChild

6-10

First Aid for Brain Injuries

• Call 911

• If child vomits, use recovery position

– If spinal injury suspected, support head and neck at all times

UnresponsiveChild:

Do not:

Give the child anything to eat or drink

Do not:

Give the child anything to eat or drink

Signs and symptoms appearing within 48

hours may indicate a more serious injury

Signs and symptoms appearing within 48

hours may indicate a more serious injury

6-13

Head Injuries in Infants

• Infant skull bones are not completely formed and not as strong as an older child’s

• Any infant with blow to the head should be seen by a healthcare provider– Call 911 if signs and symptoms

of head injury

6-14

Spinal Injuries• Fracture of the neck

or back

• May be life threatening and can cause permanent paralysis

• Do not to move the child any more than necessary

• Support the head and neck to prevent worsening the injury

6-15

When to Suspect a Spinal Injury• Fall from a height (even

a short height)

• Motor vehicle crash

• Blow to the head or back

• Crushing injury of the head, neck, or back

• A diving injury

6-16

When You See

• Inability to move

• Lack of sensation or tingling in hands

• Deformed neck or back

• Breathing problems

• Headache

• Deformed neck or back

• Signs of blow to head or back

• Nature of the emergency

Responsive Victim Unresponsive Victim

6-17

First Aid for A Spinal Injury• Stabilize child’s head in

position found

• Monitor ABCs

• Use jaw thrust to keep airway open if necessary in unresponsive child

• Call 911

• Use objects on both sides of head to prevent movement

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Inline Stabilization

Perform the SKILL

6-19

See if child can move hands and

feet

Do not pull on the neck

6-20

Use the jaw thrust to keep the airway

open

6-21

Improvise with heavy objects to prevent any

head movement

6-22

Remember!

• Support child’s head and neck in position found

• Move child only if necessary

• If child vomits, roll onto his or her side– Use log roll

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Log Roll

Perform the SKILL

6-24

Keep head inline with body at all

times

6-25

Keep legs, hips, back neck, and head aligned

6-26

Keep supporting the head

6-27

DO THE CHECKPOINT 1 QUESTIONS NOW

1

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Chest Injuries

6-29

Chest Injuries

May result from:

• A motor vehicle crash

• A blow to the chest

• A fall from a height

May result from:

6-30

Signs of a Chest Injury

• Breathing problems

• Severe pain

• Deformity of the chest

• Possibly coughing blood

6-31

Broken Ribs

• Signs of pain with deep breathing or movement

• Child holding ribs

• Shallow breathing

6-32

First Aid for Broken Ribs

• Have child sit in position of easiest breathing

• Support ribs with a pillow or soft padding– This can be loosely

bandaged over area and under arm

• Call 911

6-33

Impaled Object

• Removing from chest could cause additional bleeding and breathing problems

• Leave object in place and seek medical attention

6-34

First Aid for Impaled Object

• Keep child still

• Use bulky dressings to stabilize object

• Bandage area around object

• Call 911

6-35

Sucking Chest Wound

• Caused by penetrating injury

• Wound lets air move in and out of chest during breathing

• Can be life threatening because breathing can be affected

6-36

First Aid for Sucking Chest Wound

• Thin, sterile dressing over wound

• Make airtight seal with plastic bag/wrap– Tape it on three sides

• Position child lying inclined toward injured side

• Call 911

6-37

DO THE CHECKPOINT 2 QUESTIONS NOW

2

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Abdominal Injuries

Abdominal Injuries• Include closed and open

wounds

• Commonly result from a blow or a fall

• May involve internal and/or external bleeding

• Child needs immediate medical care even if no significant injuries can be seen

6-40

Abdominal Injury

• An abdominal injury can be life threatening

• Internal organs may have ruptured and there may be serious internal bleeding

6-41

Signs of Closed Abdominal Injury

• Severe pain, tenderness

• Bruising

• Swollen or rigid abdomen

6-42

First Aid for Closed Abdominal Injury

• Position child on back and loosen clothing

• Call 911

• Treat for shock and monitor ABCs

Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain

Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain

6-43

Open Abdominal Wounds

• May involve significant bleeding

• Organs possibly protruding from wound

• May involve significant bleeding

• Organs possibly protruding from wound

6-44

First Aid for Open Abdominal Wounds

• Lay child on his/her back and loosen any tight clothing

• Cover wound with moistened dressing, then with dry sterile dressing

• Call 911• Treat for shock and monitor ABCs

Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain

Allow the child to bend knees slightly if this eases pain

6-45

DO THE CHECKPOINT 3 QUESTIONS NOW

3

© 2005 by National Safety Council

Pelvic Injuries

6-47

Pelvic Injuries

• Broken pelvis may cause severe internal bleeding and organ damage

• Can be a life-threatening injury

• Signs of pain and tenderness around the hips

• Inability to walk or stand

• Signs and symptoms of shock

6-48

First Aid for Pelvic Injuries

• Help child lie on back

• Immobilize child’s legs by padding between thighs and ankles

• Bandage legs together

• Call 911

• Treat child for shock and monitor ABCs

6-49

DO THE CHECKPOINT 4 QUESTIONS NOW

4

6-50