© 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 Unresponsive Child

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 Unresponsive Child:

Brain Injury Alert! Do not: Give the child anything to eat or drink Do not: Give the child anything to eat or drink

Brain Injury Alert! 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 VictimUnresponsive 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

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

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

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

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