Table of contents:
- Causes of blunt force trauma
- Signs and symptoms of a blunt force blow
- 1. Bruises
- 2. The cut
- 3. Lacerations
- First aid on blunt force hard blows
- 1. Check the wound condition
- 2. Find a safe place
- 3. Treat existing wounds
- 4. If the victim is unconscious
Blunt object trauma is a wound on the body that occurs as a result of a hard blow from an object that has a blunt surface. The blow was sudden and delivered with great force. The characteristics of blunt force trauma are different from penetrating wounds - for example, stab wounds or gunshot wounds. The wound does not pierce through the skin or flesh, so it does not cause much external bleeding. What should you do when you receive a blunt impact?
Causes of blunt force trauma
Blunt object trauma can sometimes be caused by a criminal assaulting a victim with a punch of their hand, a large wooden block, baseball bat, or other similar object with a blunt tip that would cause serious damage to the body or skull if hit quickly.
Blunt force trauma can also be experienced during a car accident, especially if the individual involved is not wearing a seat belt and is thrown forward at high speed into the dashboard, steering wheel, or a rear passenger who is thrown forward into the back of the driver's or front passenger's seat.
In most cases, blows like these are not fatal and only leave a faint bruise on the skin. But someone could die from complications from internal organ damage from the fatal blow they received.
Signs and symptoms of a blunt force blow
There are several signs and symptoms of blunt force trauma, namely:
1. Bruises
Bruises are often the main sign of broken blood vessels under the skin's surface. However, the presence of this bruise cannot always be used as a definite benchmark as to how severe or how much damage has occurred in the body, such as in the chest cavity and around the lungs.
2. The cut
Scratches, abrasions, or friction wounds can appear as a result of blunt force trauma. This may have happened when the victim was beaten, dragged, or kicked. These injuries sometimes also indicate that the victim has hit back at the perpetrator, attempted to reach for something as a form of defense, or was hit by something. The presence of lacerations can also measure how much struggle the victim has had to the attacker.
3. Lacerations
Lacerations are wounds that tear tissue under the skin. You could be severely beaten or be severely impacted by a sturdy object, causing severe damage to tissues and organs. Lacerations are not always visible to the naked eye, and if the victim has died, a new autopsy can reveal the presence of lacerations.
It is worth mentioning that the above symptoms do not always have to be present on the victim's body to prove that blunt trauma is the root cause. This is due to differences in various areas of the body due to tissue softness and bone mass.
For example, a person might be beaten or received a heavy blow to the chest but could die from a heart attack or be hit around the head wherein the skull could break and the fracture pierced the brain causing bleeding. A hard blow to the stomach can cause the spleen to rupture, which in itself can be fatal if left untreated. Blunt force blows can also cause fractures to concussion.
First aid on blunt force hard blows
This is what to do if you receive a blunt force blow or witness someone being the victim of violence.
1. Check the wound condition
Symptoms of blunt force trauma can range from the most mild to severe and fatal - such as black-eyed goggles to concussions. You will need to evaluate the severity of the wound in order to know what the next steps are. Here are two guidelines for use.
- Where was the hit? - The effects of hitting in some places can be more severe than in others. The feet and hands are usually the two "safest" areas, unless there are fractures or cracks. Other places, such as the head and neck, are extremely sensitive. If you receive a heavy blow to a sensitive area, you should seek medical help immediately (emergency number 118).
- How hard can it be? - How much damage is inflicted depends on how hard the hit you take. For example, the damage from a thrust to the stomach or a power pole suction is certainly much less severe than the swing of a baseball bat to the head.
2. Find a safe place
Lie in a comfortable position. Try to lift the area where blunt trauma was received. There may be bruising and swelling in the area, so be prepared for that. Apply an ice pack (first wrapped with a cheesecloth) on the area, no more than 15 minutes. Prolonged exposure to cold can further damage damaged tissue. If pain relievers (ibuprofen / paracetamol) are within reach, take them according to the dosage and directions on the package.
3. Treat existing wounds
Blunt force trauma rarely results in tearing wounds, but often results in multiple abrasions or lacerations. If there is, clean it with running water, dry and sterilize it, and bandage the wound to avoid infection.
4. If the victim is unconscious
If the victim is unconscious, try to wake him up by shaking his body or by a gentle scream. Elevate the head and torso slightly above the heart. Make sure he continues to breathe. If breathing stops, give CPR if you know how. Keep the airway free of blockages, and roll the person on their side if they vomit.
