A young female patient involved in a motor vehicle collision responds to painful stimuli by extending her arms and legs. Her airway is open, and her breathing is shallow and irregular. A radial pulse that is moderate in strength is palpated. Her pulse is 64 beats/min, respirations are 8 breaths/min and irregular, and blood pressure is 210/110 mmHg, with an SpO2 of 90% on room air. The patient has an obvious deformity to her forehead and a left pupil that is dilated and does not respond to light. Manual spine motion restriction is being maintained by Emergency Medial Responders (). At this time, the EMT's priority action is to:

Here are some first aid steps you can take for head trauma while waiting for emergency medical help: Keep the person still: Have the injured person lie down with their head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving their neck. Stop any bleeding: Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. If you suspect a skull fracture, don't apply direct pressure to the wound. Monitor breathing and alertness: If the person shows no signs of circulation, begin CPR. Keep the head in line with the spine: If the injury is serious,... Show more

Here are some first aid steps you can take for head trauma while waiting for emergency medical help:
Keep the person still: Have the injured person lie down with their head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving their neck.
Stop any bleeding: Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. If you suspect a skull fracture, don't apply direct pressure to the wound.
Monitor breathing and alertness: If the person shows no signs of circulation, begin CPR.
Keep the head in line with the spine: If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head.
Hold something cold against the injury: This can reduce swelling. 

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