Head Injuries & Concussion

1. Head injuries and Head injuries and
ConcussionsConcussions
By Joseph Salinitri
Preliminary P.D.H.P.E: Assessment Task 4; First Aid

2. The of Head
Injuries and Concussions
Head injuries involve damage to the brain or the
structure of the skull surrounding the brain.
Head injuries are serious injuries and none
should be overlooked
There are 5 main types of head injury:
Cuts
Concussion
Contusion
Haemorrhage
Compression
NatureNature

3. CCuuttss
oAlthough they look alarming, cuts to
the scalp, are only likely to be serious
is caused by a large blow
Examples of cuts to the skull

4. CCooncuncusssisioonn
oConcussions are “a traumatic injury to the
brain as a result of a violent blow,
shaking, or spinning. A brain concussion
can cause immediate and usually
temporary impairment of brain function
such as of thinking, vision, equilibrium and
consciousness”.

5. CCoonnttuussiioonn
Contusion (or bruising) may occur to the brain
after an injury, which causes swelling of the brain
tissue. As a result of contusion, periods of
unconsciousness following an accident may be
prolonged, as well as periods of amnesia after
consciousness is regained.
The site of contusion may be directly at the site of
injury or the opposite side (contra-coup brain
injury) due to the brain bouncing back (during
accident).

6. Skull
Contusion, or
bruising of the brain
may occur at the site
of the blow.
Brain
Area of
bruising
Site of
impact
POSSIBLE SITE OF BRAIN INJURY FOLLOWING A
BLOW TO BACK OF HEAD
CCoonnttuussiioonn

7. HHaemmorrrrhagee
Haemorrhage is bleeding in the skull. It is a
frequent outcome of head injuries. It is usually
caused by the damaging of the blood vessels
present in the dura mater (tough covering of
the inside of the skull)
A dissected, preserved brain that had a haemorrhage
Haemorrhage

8. CComomPPresresSSionion
If there is any swelling or bleeding within the skull,
a point can be reached when there is no more
room for expansion, this is compression.
Compression of the brain is a serious issues and
can lead to severe damage. In extreme cases,
compression can cause brain tissue to squeeze
out of the base of the skull, this is known as
coning.

9. SignsSigns and Symptoms of
Serious Head injury
Deep cuts or tears to the scalp
Nausea
Vomiting
Severe headache
Visual disturbance
Drowsiness or difficulty being aroused
Unequal sized pupils, or pupils that do not respond to light
Paralysis, numbness or loss of function over one half of the
body
Problems with balance
Fluid flowing from eyes and/or mouth
Drunken behaviour
Fits, confusion or unconsciousness

10. Signs and SymptomsSymptoms of rising
pressure within the Skull
Intense headache, worse when lying
flat and/or with physical exertion
Unequal or dilated pupils
Vomiting
Weakness on one side of the body
Noisy, irregular breathing
Irritable or aggressive behaviour
Example of Dilated pupil

11. First AidFirst Aid for a
Protect the victim’s airway by tilting back, the jaw,
whilst treating them as if they have a spinal injury
Apply pressure to any scalp wounds that are bleeding
Watch for vomiting
If conscious, lay them on the floor with head and
shoulders slightly raised. If they are unconscious,
place them in the recovery position whilst protecting
their neck
Call emergency services (000 or 112)
Check for responses. Constantly reassure them
Constantly check their breathing and level of
consciousness until helps arrives.
Head injury

12. First Aid forfor cutscuts to the to the
HeadHead
Wear protective gloves. Expose the wound.
Do not drag clothing over the wound.
Clear the wound surface of any obvious
debris by using a gauze pad.
Control bleeding by putting direct pressure
on wound and elevating limb.
Apply a bandage to the wound once bleeding
is controlled
Keep casualty warm and calm until further
help arrives.

13. First Aid for a person with a
Concussion
Carefully clear victim’s airway
(ensuring no further damage is done
as there may be spinal injury)
Call 000
Maintain a clear and open airway
Keep them comfortable until medical
professionals arrive

14. BibliographyBibliography
Books:
Australian Red Cross Society, The. (1991). First Aid Manual. Collins
Angus&Robertson Publishers Pty Ltd.: Sydney
Balint, Danielle (ed.). (2003). 2 Unit Personal Development, Health and
Physical Education Preliminary Course 2008,First Aid. Able Publishing:
Melbourne
Fermie, Dr. F., Keech, Dr. P. and Shepherd Dr.S. (2005). The Illustrated
Practical Book of First Aid and Family Health. Anness Publishing Ltd
Lippman, J. and Natoli, D. (2008). First Aid: A training Guide for the
Management of Emergencies. J.L. Publications: Australia
St. John Ambulance Australia. (1995). Australian First Aid; Volumes 1 and
2. St. John Ambulance Australia: Melbourne

15. BibliographyBibliography
Websites:
BBC. (8.8.08). Two jailed over pensioner attack. (online).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/5256722.stm Retrieved: 10.8.08
Better Health Channel. (1.8.08). Head Injuries- First Aid. (online).
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.Nsf/pages/Head_injuries_first_aid?OpenDocument
Retrieved: 1.8.08
Dkimages.(no date). Head Injuries. (online).
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Health-and-Beauty/First-Aid/Head-Injuries/Head-Injuries-04.html
Retrieved: 10.8.08
No name. (no date). Soccer Overload. (online).
http://socceroverload.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/ful071109009_19069_full-lnd.jpg
Retrieved: 8.8.08
The University of Melbourne. (17.2.05). Anatomy and Pathology Collection. (online)
http://www.anatomy.unimelb.edu.au/museum/collection.html Retrieved: 26.7.08