Blow to the head, blast, or they are not themselves
1 h to careBuddydelayed
Step 1 of 4 · now
Airway and bleeding first
Head wounds bleed a lot. Direct pressure on the scalp with a dressing. Do not press on a depressed skull or leaking brain tissue — ring dressing around it.
Use: Plain gauze or Emergency bandage — you marked this in kit
When this applies · do not
Hit on the head, blast wave, or fall
Confused, vomiting, unequal pupils, clear fluid from ear/nose
Knocked out, even briefly
Worst headache of their life after trauma
Red flags
Getting more confused, one pupil bigger, seizure, repeated vomiting: evacuate now, this is surgical
Airway first if unconscious
Do not
Do not give anything by mouth if they are sleepy or vomiting.
Do not let them ‘sleep it off’ unwatched.
Do not plug both ears if fluid is draining — cover loosely.
Field aid tool — not a diagnosis, not a medic, not your unit’s official protocol. When a trained medic or doctor is there, follow them.