1. Preventing Brain Injury

2. Created For You By: Brandon Cook Zel Wilson Emma Fillebrown At No Limits Eastern Shore Please feel free to download, print, or share this PowerPoint with credit given to No Limits Eastern Shore.

3. What is a Brain Injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) includes all types of traumatic brain injuries and also brain injuries caused after birth by cerebral vascular accidents (commonly known as stroke), and loss of oxygen to the brain (hypoxic brain injury).
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external force after birth. Common causes of a traumatic brain injury include gunshot wounds, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, or falling and striking your head.
***Injuries to the brain that are present at birth or progressive in nature, such as Alzheimers disease or Parkinson's are not considered a traumatic or acquired brain injury.***

4. Most Common Causes of Brain Injury in Adolescents
Motor Vehicle Related
Sports and Recreational Activities
Violence
Drug & Alcohol Abuse

5. Motor Vehicle Related Accidents are the Most Common Cause of Brain Injury/Death in Teens
Why?
Inexperienced Driving – new drivers start off with very little knowledge or understanding of the complexities of driving an automobile. Like any other skill it takes time to master.
Not following or understanding street signs, not knowing to correct driving patterns based on road conditions, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, etc.
Impaired/Distracted Driving
Too many people in the car, radio, cell phone use, not having both hands on the wheel in general, etc.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may severely effect decision making skills, eyesight, reaction times, and memory.

6. Scary Statistics
55% of teens say they wish their parents spent more time teaching them to drive, especially in dangerous conditions.
32% of teen drivers (ages 15 – 20) that were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2011 had been drinking some amount of alcohol.
50% of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 P.M. and midnight in 2010.
More than 74,000 young people die or are injured each year from not wearing seatbelts.
2/3 of teen passenger deaths took place in vehicles driven by other teens.
53% of traffic violations for teens (ages 16 – 19) were due to speeding.
Teens behind the wheel and their peers as passengers account for 1 in every 5 deaths in the teen population ages 15 – 19 year olds.
2,823 teens (ages 13 – 19) died in motor vehicle crashes in 2012.

7. Ten Tips for Safe Driving
Always wear your seat belt!
Never use your cell phone while driving!
Keep distractions inside the vehicle to a minimum!
Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road!
Follow traffic signs and lights accordingly! No Speeding!
Have an idea of where you’re going before you leave!
Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
Don’t be the distraction as a passenger!
Be more cautious when driving in bad weather and/or at night!
Middle back seat – the last place you want to be!

8. Concussions (They’re kind of a big deal…)
A concussion is a mild form of brain injury and is the most common head injury that occurs while playing a sport.
Signs/Symptoms:
Thinking/Remembering – difficulty thinking clearly, feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering new information.
Physical – headache, fuzzy/blurry vision, nausea or vomiting (unexpectedly), dizziness, sensitivity to noise or light, balance problems, feeling, having no energy.
Emotional/Mood – irritability, sadness, more emotional, nervousness or anxiety.
Sleep – sleeping more than usual, sleeping less than usual, trouble falling asleep.

9. ***Concussions do not always appear with the exact symptoms as listed on the previous slide. If you have been hit in the head or fall on your head/neck during a sport or recreational activity see a doctor!***
If you are diagnosed with a concussion you must REST! Concussions are the number one cause of brain injury with sports-related injuries!
You must speak with a doctor before returning to your normal physical AND mental activities after a concussion!

10. Preventing Sports-Related Injuries
Use head gear/helmets that have been approved by trusted testing facilities such as Snell, American National Standards Institute, or American Society for Testing and Materials. Approved helmets will be marked with a sticker!
Make sure gear/helmets fit appropriately!
Never dive in shallow water or murky water!
Never slide or dive head first!

11. Preventing Injury Due To Violence
10 Steps to Avoid Violence/Injury
Recognize situations or events that are likely to escalate into violence.
Stop whatever you are doing and count to 10 backward. This will help you think about your feelings before they get out of control.
If you can't control your anger, get away. Take a time out.
Think about the options and consequences of your actions. For example, hitting someone could result in suspension from school or injury.
If necessary, get help from a third party to solve differences.
Cool off. Make sure you are calm and then talk to the person.
Listen carefully to the other person's opinion.
Be assertive, not aggressive. Stand up for your ideals. Begin every sentence with "I" For example: "I feel this way..." or "I don't like it when..."
Be willing to admit and be responsible for something you may have done wrong.
Respond with your HEAD – not your fists, threats, or weapons.
© 2001, American Medical Association

12. Preventing Drug and Alcohol Use
Ten Tips for Prevention
Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Connect With Your Friends and Avoid Negative Peer Pressure
Make Connections With Your Parents or Other Adults
Enjoy Life and Do What You Love -  Don’t Add Alcohol and Drugs
Follow the Family Rules About Alcohol and Drugs
Get Educated About Alcohol and Drugs
Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example
Plan Ahead
Speak Out/Speak Up/Take Control
If you or someone you know is in trouble with alcohol or drugs get help.  Don’t wait.  You are not alone.

13. Additional Tips for Staying Safe
Travel in pairs!
Know your surroundings!
If you have a cell phone keep it charged and store important emergency numbers/information!
Understand the importance of mental health and the resources available to you for help with depression and anxiety!
If you are in a situation where you feel that you are being/have been abused or assaulted you should seek help immediately!

14. References