Science & Life Skills

Learn how to help someone who may have hurt their head, neck, or back in a fall.

A person fell down stairs and we don't know exactly what happened. The helper wants to keep the person still while asking questions to decide if 911 should be called.

The helper checks the person's head, ears, mouth, and eyes for signs of injury. They look at the pupils to see if they react to light, which can show if there's a brain injury.

The person answered questions about the day and year incorrectly, which suggests they hit their head. The helper asks open-ended questions to let the person describe what hurts without leading them to specific answers.

Spinal cord injuries can cause shock, making someone pale, cool, and sweaty. If the person becomes unresponsive or stops breathing normally, CPR might be needed while waiting for emergency help.

Head, Neck and Back Injuries