Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

8 Muscle, Bone and Joint Injuries

You should always suspect a possible head or spinal injury in any of the following mechanism of injury, the MOI: • Vehicle collisions • Pedestrian and vehicle collisions • Motorcycle or bicycle crashes • Falls from height (even standing) • Blunt or penetrating trauma to the head, neck, back, or torso • Rapid deceleration injury • Hangings • Diving accidents • Sport or recreation accidents Even a severe spinal injury may not show obvious signs and symptoms. The mechanism of injury and the history of the accident should guide you in the first aid you provide. If the MOI or the scene suggests a head and or spinal injury, provide care for such even if there are no signs and symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms Spinal injury

• Deformity • Open wound

Many mechanisms of injury that cause head and spinal injury can also be a risk to first aiders. Before approaching any patient, get a ‘big picture’ idea of scene safety. Take steps to ensure your own safety. Do not rely entirely on others, even police or safety personnel, to protect you. Maintain your own awareness of the scene. • Tenderness or pain • Swelling or bruising • Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in the body or a part of the body • Paralysis in any part of the body • Shock (See Chapter 4, Circulation & Shock)

305

www.preohs.com