Head Injuries

The skull is the bony encasement of the brain, which is cushioned by spinal fluid. Direct trauma to the head may cause many types of injuries, including a fractured skull, bleeding of the scalp, or a bruise to the brain. If there is bleeding from the ear it usually means that there is a skull fracture.

• Call for emergency help.
  
  
• Special care must be taken when trying to stop any scalp bleeding when there is a suspected skull fracture. Bleeding from the scalp can be very heavy even when the injury is not too serious.
  
  
• Do not press too hard. Be extremely careful when applying pressure over the wound so that bone chips from a possible fracture will not be pressed into the brain.
  
  
• Do not move the head or bend the victim's neck. It may be fractured. This can worsen spinal injury.
  
  
• Do not give anything by mouth.
  
  
• Do not try to keep the person awake.
  
  
• Immobilize the neck, if neck injury is suspected.
  
  
• Monitor the ABC's and get help.
  
  
• Keep the victim calm and still until help arrives.