Head and Spinal Cord Injury Thesis

First aid

Signs and symptoms of serious problems include: Loss of consciousness or memory, a headache that worsens or won't go away, confusion, mood swings, drowsiness, numbness, weakness, slurred speech, vision changes and changes in the pupils' size, shape, and reaction to light, dizziness, vertigo, difficulty standing or walking, nausea and vomiting (Safety, 2009, Brain and spinal cord.org).. After any forceful blow to the head, the coach or referee should ensure that the game is stopped, and the player should be told to not to nod or shake his head during the assessment, but to say yes or no. If conscious, the player should be asked if he or she is aware of the day and time, his or her location, what quarter or part of the game he or she is playing, and other questions to assess his or her bearings. If a serious injury is suspected, the student should be taken to a doctor immediately. Depending on his or her mobility an ambulance may need to be called.

Any athlete with even a minor head injury should be closely supervised for any of the tell-tale symptoms. If an athlete loses consciousness, the injury "must be treated as a suspected head, neck, or back injury" (Goodlett & Lemak 2009). If the athlete does not regain consciousness, he or she should be kept stable until medical professionals arrive: "The only instances in which an athlete's helmet and shoulder pads should be removed is when a medical authority believes that it is necessary for the care of the athlete, or if the equipment interferes with the rescuers' ability to provide required CPR" (Goodlett & Lemak 2009).

Suggested activities:

Role-play a scenario in which an athlete has sustained a minor head injury but seems to be alright. What types of questions should you ask the athlete? What should you NOT do (ask the athlete to shake his or her head, for example). What types of symptoms should you look for?

Then role-play a scenario in which an athlete looses consciousness, but then says that he or she is fine. Remember that it is not uncommon for an athlete to insist that he or she is ready to get back to playing, yet still have a concussion. Again, run through the types of questions that might be asked of the athlete.

Finally, role-play the first aid that must be undertaken when an athlete has a full loss of consciousness. What should be done until the ambulance arrives?

References

Goodlett, Michael D. & Lawrence J. Lemak. (2009, March 11). What youth football coaches should know about concussions. USA Football. Revised October 19, 2009

Retrieved November 6, 2009 at http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6669/7328

Hitti, Miranda. (2009, March 18). Natasha Richardson dies after brain injury. Web MD.

Retrieved November 6, 2009 at http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20090318/natasha-richardsons-fatal-brain-injury-faq

O'Brien, James. (2009, July 30). Heading off serious injury. The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 6, 2009 at http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/07/30/school_sports_programs_west_of_boston_pay_closer_attention_to_concussions/

Safety recommendations for concussion Prevention: A hot topic. (2009, August 13). Brain and spinal cord.org. Retrieved November 6, 2009 at http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/blog/2009/08/13/safety-recommendations-for-concussion-prevention-a-hot-topic/

Serious head injury. (2009).Revolution Health. Retrieved November 6, 2009 at http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/first-aid-safety/first-aid-location/head/signs-head-injury