Page 119 - Participant Manual

Signs and Symptoms of Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries

The signs and symptoms of a head, neck or spinal injury depend on the nature and location of the injury, but
could include:

■ Unusual bumps, bruises or depressions on the head, neck or back.
■ Heavy external bleeding of the head, neck or back.

■ Bruising of the head, especially around
the eyes and behind the ears.

■ Blood or other fluids in the ears or nose.

■ Confusion or disorientation.
■ Changes in level of consciousness.

■ Seizures.
■ Impaired breathing or vision.

■ Nausea or vomiting.

■ Partial or complete loss of movement of
any body part.

■ Loss of balance.
■ Behavior similar to that of a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs (e.g., confusion, stumbling,
repeatedly asking the same questions, memory loss, nausea or vomiting, speech problems).

■ Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck or back (reported by the person or indicated by the person
holding his or her head, neck or back).

■ Back pain, weakness, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, fingers, feet or toes.
■ Persistent headache.

■ A broken or damaged safety helmet.

First Aid Care for Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries

© 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
Because evaluation by medical personnel is needed to determine the THE PROS KNOW.
severity of a head, neck or spinal injury, you should always assume that _______
an injury involving the head, neck or spine is serious and provide care
accordingly. If you suspect a head, neck or spinal injury, call 9-1-1 or If you suspect that a person has
the designated emergency number. As long as the person is breathing a head, neck or spinal injury,
normally, have him or her remain in the position in which he or she was approach the person from the
found. If the person is wearing a helmet, do not remove it unless you front so that he or she can see
are specifically trained to do so and removing the helmet is necessary you without turning his or her
to give CPR. Similarly, if a child is strapped into a car seat, do not head. Tell the person to respond
remove him or her from it unless you need to give the child CPR. verbally to your questions, rather
than nodding or shaking his or
her head.

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