First Aid Basics: What to Do for a Head Injury

No one ever wants to be in the position of dealing with a head injury, but these things happen and it might just be that you are the only person on the scene. Instead of panicking, you need to take control and help the injured person. By being prepared ahead of time, you will know what to do and will be calmer in this type of situation. It is important to stay calm and purposeful so you can help.

The first thing you need to do is determine how bad the head injury is. A minor injury can be treated at home, while others may require an ambulance. The general rule of thumb is that if a person fell on a relatively soft surface (carpet, dirt, etc.) and from less than his own height, the injury is probably not major. However, if you feel otherwise, don't hesitate to call an ambulance. If the person was unconscious even for a few seconds, call 911.

A minor head injury usually results in a goose egg or a small cut. Head wounds usually bleed profusely since there are a lot of veins in the scalp, but this doesn't mean it is serious. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. You can use an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel to bring down a goose egg and to reduce swelling.

For more serious injuries, the victim will need to go to the hospital. You should call 911 immediately before treating the person who is injured. This task can be given to someone else, but you need to make sure that they actually do it since many people react badly to trauma and may say they will call, but then freak out and don't do anything.

While you are waiting for the ambulance, don't move the person unless they are in danger (i.e. In the middle of a freeway). If you MUST move them, try to stabilize the head as much as possible to avoid any neck injuries. Otherwise, leave them where they are and cover the victim with a blanket if possible.

You can apply pressure to stop bleeding, without moving the person's head. Use a clean cloth or a gauze pad to do so. Keep talking and ask the person questions to help keep them awake. If the injury is serious, it is important not to let the person fall asleep, so keep them awake by talking. Don't shake or slap an unconscious person awake since you could cause further injury.

Should there be a penetrating wound, something stuck into the skull, like a stick or piece of metal, don't try to take it out. That is for the doctors to do in a hospital setting since the wound could bleed a lot. Just stabilize the head and wait for medical help to arrive.

Head injuries can be frightening, but by knowing what to do, you could save someone's life. Just remember to call 911, stay calm, stop the bleeding and keep the victim awake by talking. These steps will keep you busy until the ambulance arrives and could mean the difference between life and death.