© 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
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