Head Injuries


If a person has been unconscious for six seconds or longer, a physician should be notified. A physician should be notified if any of the following occur: headache, restlessness, drowsiness to the point the person cannot be awakened, definite change in the size of the pupils of the eyes, or repeated vomiting. After a concussion, a person will often vomit once or twice. Drowsiness to a very mild degree is also expected. If a person has had a head injury keep him awake for one hour, then allow him to sleep if he desires. Arouse him every hour to make sure he can be awakened easily. Do not give hi anything to eat or drink for several hours. For the first twelve hours, awaken the person every 1 to 1 and ½ hours and be assured that their vision is normal, asking them to read small print. Check their balance to see that they can stand on one foot or walk heel-to-toe a straight line. Carefully notice their speech pattern. If a person does not lose consciousness during a head injury, it is likely he suffered no serious injury.