First Aid procedures: head injuries

Concussion is usually caused by a blow to the head which ‘shakes’ the brain inside the skull, but it can also result from indirect force, such as landing heavily on your feet.

Signs and symptoms of concussion –

• Blow to the head
• Short period of being dazed and confused
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Brief loss of memory
• Headache

Compression is bleeding inside the skull or swelling of the injured part of the brain, usually caused by a blow to the head. This results in a very serious life-threatening condition called cerebral compression. The casualty will need urgent medical or surgical treatment.

Signs and symptoms of concussion –

• Deteriorating level of response
• History of head injury
• Severe headache
• Unequal pupil size
• Weakness and/or paralysis down one side of body or face
• Change in behaviour
• Noisy breathing
• Slow, strong pulse
• High temperate and flushed face

If you believe a casualty may have a head injury you should:

• Check their level of response – are they alert and responding normally? Do they respond to your voice? Do they respond to pain? Are they unconscious?
• If the casualty is conscious and responsive help them sit or lie down, monitor their responses and if they develop a headache, blurred vision, nausea or excessive sleepiness get medical help
• If the casualty is unconscious, leave them in the position you have found them and open their airway using the jaw-thrust method as follows:
• Kneel behind the casualty’s head and position your hands on either side of their face with your fingertips at the angles of their jaw. Gently lift the jaw forwards with your fingers, making sure you do not tilt the head back. Check their breathing. If the casualty is not breathing perform CPR and get emergency medical help.

The British Red Cross last medically reviewed this article in December 2009.