Common arborist injuries
Condition |
Symptoms |
Treatment priorities ( aerial |
|
|
casualty ) |
Unconscious patient
Head injury
Use AVPU scale :
A - Alert V - responds to Voice P - responds to Pain U - Unconscious no response
May be caused by a wide range of conditions , including traumatic injuries , fainting , heat stroke , allergic reaction , cardiac issues , blood loss , airway or breathing conditions .
Consider mechanism of injury – fall from height or impact from object .
Head injuries may be open or closed or a combination of both .
Open head injury includes scalp wounds , lacerations , bruising , haematoma ( swelling ), boggy areas , significant skull fractures , bleeding from nose , ears , eyes , mouth .
Closed head injury includes concussion , brain haemorrhage , skull fracture without laceration , bruising around eyes and behind ears .
Increased potential for spinal injury .
Headache , nausea , vomiting , confusion , agitation , unconsciousness .
Assess DRSABC . Call Ambulance Service . Consider possible spinal injury .
Maintain patient airway – use airway manoeuvres as required .
Rescue casualty to ground if safe to do so .
Place casualty in recovery position .
Assess DRSABC . Call Ambulance Service . Consider possible spinal injury . Rescue to ground if safe to do so .
For suspected skull fracture , DO NOT put direct pressure to the wound . Control bleeding by applying gentle pressure around the wound area .
If skull fracture not suspected , apply direct pressure to wound . Apply a dressing and ask casualty to maintain pressure .
Assist casualty into comfortable position , lying down with head and shoulders raised .
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