Head injuries

After a hard blow to the head (fall, falling object, crash), also suspect a neck injury. A person can seem fine at first and get worse hours later: don't leave them alone for the first 24 hours.

Seek emergency care immediately (911 if severe) if the person shows any of these danger signs (CDC):

• A headache that gets worse and won't go away
• Weakness, numbness, or lack of coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Unusual drowsiness or can't be awakened
• One pupil larger than the other
• Seizures
• Doesn't recognize people or places; increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation; strange behavior
• Loss of consciousness, even if brief

While help arrives: keep the head and neck aligned, control scalp bleeding with gentle pressure (it bleeds a lot, but if you feel a depression in the bone, don't press on it: press around it), and monitor breathing.