Participants enrolled in standard first aid training will learn to recognize, treat and care for victims of head and spine injuries. Participants will have to incorporate skills and knowledge learned in previous sections of the course to successfully complete the head and spine injury component. This section of the course is one of the most difficult components for candidates to complete. The material posted on this page on head and spine injuries is for learning purposes only. The material posted below is the minimum necessary requirements for candidates to successfully complete the head and spine injury component of standard first aid training.
To successfully complete the skills component candidates must:
- Check the scene and environment for any dangers or hazards.
- Determine the mechanism, cause and / or history of the emergency.
- Complete the primary assessment (includes checking level of consciousness, ABC’s, etc.)
- Contact EMS and obtain an AED using a bystander if possible.
- Conscious patients should be advised not to move.
- Rescuer should attempt to immobilize the patient and minimize the patients movement throughout the rescue.
- Treat any wounds associated with the injury.
- Treat the victim for shock and complete the secondary assessment.
- Rescuers must use / wear appropriate barrier devices.
Additional Notes:
- Rescuers should treat any severe head injury as a spinal injury.
- Head trauma includes obvious trauma to the head, fluid from the ears (CSF Leak), bruising under the eyes and behind the ears.
- If possible, rescuers should immobilize the victim in the position found.
- Rescuers will not be required to know how to place a victim onto a spine board.
- Candidates in CPR HCP will learnt o open a airway using a jaw thrust to minimize head movement during breathing checks and CPR.
To successfully complete the head and spinal injury component of standard first aid training candidates must successfully demonstrate the skills and knowledge presented above. The material posted on this page is for information purposes only. Participants that want to learn to treat, recognize and care for patients with head and spinal injuries should take standard first aid training (register here).