Head injuries can range from minor cuts to serious conditions like concussions, contusions, hemorrhages or compression of the brain. Concussions involve temporary impairment of brain functions like thinking or vision from a blow to the head. Contusions cause bruising of the brain tissue which can lead to prolonged unconsciousness. Hemorrhages refer to bleeding within the skull from damaged blood vessels. Signs of a serious head injury include deep cuts, nausea, visual issues or unconsciousness. First aid involves protecting the airway, controlling bleeding from cuts and seeking immediate medical help.

1. Head injuries and Concussions By Joseph Salinitri Preliminary P.D.H.P.E: Assessment Task 4; First Aid

5. C o n t u s i o n Contusion (or bruising) may occur to the brain after an injury, which causes swelling of the brain tissue. As a result of contusion, periods of unconsciousness following an accident may be prolonged, as well as periods of amnesia after consciousness is regained. The site of contusion may be directly at the site of injury or the opposite side (contra-coup brain injury) due to the brain bouncing back (during accident).

6. C o n t u s i o n Skull Contusion, or bruising of the brain may occur at the site of the blow. Brain Area of bruising Site of impact POSSIBLE SITE OF BRAIN INJURY FOLLOWING A BLOW TO BACK OF HEAD

7. H ae m o rr hag e Haemorrhage is bleeding in the skull. It is a frequent outcome of head injuries. It is usually caused by the damaging of the blood vessels present in the dura mater (tough covering of the inside of the skull) A dissected, preserved brain that had a haemorrhage Haemorrhage

8. C om P res S ion If there is any swelling or bleeding within the skull, a point can be reached when there is no more room for expansion, this is compression . Compression of the brain is a serious issues and can lead to severe damage. In extreme cases, compression can cause brain tissue to squeeze out of the base of the skull, this is known as coning .