HEAD INJURY: COMPRESSION

based on First Aid Manual 7th Edn. Updated 1999    page 115

Introduction to head injuries                                                             

Any injury to a casualty's head can have very serious consequences, which will almost certainly require proper checking. This is especially true if the casualty is not fully conscious.

Do not be fooled into thinking that just because there is no obvious injury (such as a wound), that there is no serious damage within the skull.

It will also be obvious that a casualty who is not fully conscious may not give you complete and accurate information.

The blow to the head does not need to be directly to the skull; the brain is still jolted if a blow is struck to the jaw or the casualty lands on their feet following a fall.

First Aiders are reminded that head injuries are not the only reason why a casualty may not be fully conscious.

It is also vital to consider the possibility of a neck injury in any case of injury to the head.

COMPRESSION

Introduction

After the brain has been injured, it may tear open a blood vessel which then bleeds into the area that the brain tissue should occupy. The brain may also swell due to the damage that it has received during an injury. 

Another possible cause of compression is when a piece of skull has been pushed into the brain and taken up the space designed for it.

All these causes will have the same effect - a far greater pressure within the skull, which the brain is not designed to withstand, and the brain will be compressed, or squeezed.

Recognising compression

• Reduction in the conscious level of your casualty.

Other recognition features

• A history of a head injury, hours or even days earlier.

• The casualty may behave strangely eg aggressively, appear disorientated, etc.

• The casualty, if conscious, is likely to have a really bad headache.

• The casualty's breathing may become noisy and slower than normal.

• The casualty's pulse rate will slow down, but become very pounding.

• The casualty's pupils (the black part of the eye) may be different sizes or not react to light in the usual way.

• The casualty may find that they are weak or paralysed down one side of their body.

• The casualty may have a reddened face due to a higher than normal temperature. 

Care

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Dial 999 for an ambulance

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An unconscious casualty must be placed in the recovery position.

A conscious casualty should be supported in a position that they find comfortable.

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Every 10 minutes their breathing, pulse and level of response must be measured, recorded. Pass these onto the ambulance crew.

Further Reading Opportunities

Please note that First Aid Training offers these items to deepen your knowledge 

Please evaluate the information for yourself.  How?

Woodrow P (2000)  Head Injuries: acute care.  Nursing Standard. 14, 35, 37-44

External Internet Link/s

Please note that First Aid Training has no control over the content or accuracy of the site/s listed. 

Please evaluate the information for yourself.  How?

The Merck Manual

BBC Health Guide