Each year there are thousands of accidents involving head injury in our country. Many of these injuries can become debilitating and even cause death. Protecting yourself and your loved ones from suffering a head trauma is very important, however, accidents do happen. Knowing how to evaluate a head injury and treat it swiftly and correctly can make the difference between life and death.

Here are a few facts on how to recognize various head injuries, their symptoms and the proper first aid treatment to administer.

There are three types of head injuries. Scalp wounds, skull fractures and brain injuries. You will have to examine the victims wound for exposed skull bone or brain tissue and indention of the skull to determine how serious the injury may be.

A bleeding scalp does not necessarily mean the brain has been affected. The brain receives its blood supply from arteries in the neck rather than the scalp. In the case of a scalp wound you can control bleeding by gently applying direct pressure with a dry sterile dressing. If the dressing becomes blood filled do not remove it. Instead place additional dressings on top of the first layer and continue to apply even pressure. Elevate the victims’ head and shoulders slightly in order to aid in controlling the bleeding.

Even though it is difficult to diagnose a skull fracture without a x-ray, there are signs and symptoms to identify so you can administer first aid treatment. Symptoms of a skull fracture include; pain at the point of injury, deformity of the skull, bleeding from the nose or ears, discoloration around the eyes and/or discoloration behind the ear several hours after the injury, unequal pupils, profuse bleeding and exposed skull or brain tissue. Any penetrating wound to the head such as an impaled object or bullet wound is considered a skull fracture.

If a skull fracture is suspected monitor the victim. Make sure is airway is open and monitor their breathing and circulation. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and stabilize the victims’ neck to avoid movement. Elevate the victims’ head and shoulders slightly in order to aid in controlling the bleeding. For a skull fracture apply pressure around the edges of the wound; not directly on it as you would with a minor scalp wound. Call 911 for emergency medical attention immediately.

Never stop the blood flow from the nose or ears of a victim with a head injury. This would increase pressure in the skull possibly causing further damage. Do not try to remove an impaled object. Instead stabilize the object by placing bulky dressing around it. Most importantly never attempt to clean an open skull fracture. This could result in introducing bacteria into the brain causing a brain infection.

A brain injury can occur when the skull is struck with enough force to cause the brain to bounce around inside the skull. The brain then begins to swell inside the skull with little space to expand. This increased pressure inside the skull results in changes that interfere with the functioning of the brain. Signs and symptoms of brain injury may go unnoticed for 6 to 18 hours after the injury, as the swelling slowly increases prompting the following signs and symptoms: Memory loss, vomiting and nausea, headache, visual disturbance such as double vision or unequal pupils, weakness, loss of balance or paralysis, seizures, blood leaking from the nose or ears, and combativeness. A victim of a brain injury may vary in their level of responsiveness or perhaps lose responsiveness for hours or even days.

If you suspect brain injury in an individual seek medical attention. The victim needs to be transported to a neurosurgeon for immediate treatment. Until help arrives you can follow the same rules of first aid as a skull fracture concerning monitoring the victim, controlling bleeding and protection of an impaled object, with these added measures.

If the victim is responsive, ask them their name and where they are. If he or she cannot answer these questions it would indicate a problem is evident.

Brain injury victims are most likely to experience vomiting. Rolling the victim on their side while stabilizing the neck against movement will keep the airway open by allowing the vomit to drain. Don't forget to continue to keep the victims’ head and shoulders slightly elevated to help control bleeding. Never elevate the person’s legs. This may increase pressure in the skull.

In case of even a slight head injury the first 48 hours the victim needs to be monitored. Medical attention should be sought immediately if there is a change in any of the following conditions:

*If a headache lasts more than two days or increases in severity.

*If nausea persists for more than two hours or if a victim vomits more than twice after an injury.

*If the injured person’s eyes fail to move together or if one pupil is larger than the other is.

*If the victim becomes unsteady in walking or becomes unable to use their arms and legs properly.

*You may allow the victim to sleep, but wake them every two hours to check their level of responsiveness. Again asking the victim their name, address, phone number or other information can assist you in evaluating their condition. Should a victim answer incorrectly or appear confused call a doctor.

Always wear protective head covering when participating in sports, riding bicycles, climbing etc.

Americans enjoying leisure activities make up a large percentage of head injuries each year. Be sure to take the necessary precautions, so you aren't one of this year’s statistics.