Trauma Survival Tips: How to Handle Different Emergencies

Understanding physical trauma and its impact is vital for protecting health and ensuring safety in emergencies. Trauma, whether from accidents, falls or other sudden events, can lead to serious injuries that require immediate attention. This blog will guide you through what trauma is, explore the different types – such as blunt injuries, burns, fractures and more – and offer clear, actionable tips for handling each situation effectively.

What is trauma?

At a glance: Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that affects either the body, the mind or both. Trauma can have significant, long-lasting impacts on your health and well-being.

Trauma occurs when a severe event or injury disrupts the body. 

• Physical trauma involves damage to the body such as fractures, burns or internal injuries often caused by accidents or violence.

In the U.S., trauma is a significant public health issue, being the leading cause of death for individuals up to the age of 45 and the fourth leading cause of death overall. 

• Each year, trauma accounts for over 150,000 deaths and more than 3 million non-fatal injuries, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.
• The most common causes of physical trauma include falls and motor vehicle crashes.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is notably the largest cause of death from injury, affecting about one million people annually, with 230,000 hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths.

Types of physical trauma

Physical trauma can be classified into various categories.

• Blunt trauma occurs when the body is struck by or strikes an object, causing injuries like bruises, fractures or internal bleeding.
• Penetrating trauma involves an object piercing the skin and entering the body, such as stab wounds or gunshot injuries.
• Burns are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation.
• Fractures are a break or crack in a bone, often resulting from falls, direct blows or overuse.
• Dislocations occur when bones in a joint are forced out of their normal positions, often due to falls or impacts.
• Sprains involve stretching or tearing of ligaments, while strains involve muscles or tendons.
• Crush injuries occur when a body part is subjected to a high degree of pressure, often in accidents involving heavy machinery or vehicles.

Symptoms vary depending on the severity but often include intense pain, swelling, bruises, bleeding, fractures or loss of consciousness. 

• Severe injuries may involve damage to multiple organ systems, internal bleeding or spinal cord injuries, all of which require immediate medical attention.

How to survive trauma

Blunt trauma usually requires emergency attention, and the best thing to do is to stay calm.

• Take deep breaths to assess your condition.
• Look for visible bruises, swelling or pain points.
• Avoid unnecessary movement and immobilize any suspected fractures.
• If available, use an ice pack to reduce swelling.
• Call emergency services if there is significant pain, difficulty moving or suspected internal injuries.

Penetrating trauma requires a need to control bleeding.

• Apply firm pressure using a clean cloth to stop the bleeding – avoid removing embedded objects.
• Cover the area with a sterile bandage or cloth to keep it clean.
• Minimize motion to prevent further damage.
• Penetrating wounds need immediate professional care to prevent infection and blood loss.

Burn treatment focuses on cooling the area.

• Stop the burning by applying running water for at least 10 minutes – avoid using ice.
• Use a non-stick, sterile dressing or clean cloth – avoid applying ointments or breaking blisters.
• If safe to do so, remove rings or clothing from the burned area before swelling begins.
• For severe burns, chemical burns or burns covering large areas, call for emergency medical assistance.

Fractures should focus on immobilizing the area.

• Use a splint or support the limb with a sturdy object like a board or rolled-up towel.
• Avoid trying to straighten the bone.
• If possible, keep the injury elevated and apply ice to reduce swelling.
• Get to a hospital as soon as possible.

Dislocations involve trying to stabilize the joint.

• Avoid attempting to pop the joint back into place.
• Use a sling or padding to minimize movement.
• Apply ice to reduce swelling and pain.
• Dislocations require prompt professional treatment to avoid long-term damage.

Sprains and strains should follow the R.I.C.E. method.

• Rest the injured area.
• Ice it to reduce swelling (20 minutes every hour).
• Compression using an elastic bandage can help.
• Elevate the limb above heart level to minimize swelling.

Crush injuries can lead to severe complications like shock or internal bleeding.

• If there is bleeding, apply pressure without moving the area.
• If possible, keep the person lying flat and warm to prevent shock.
• Don’t remove the crushing object unless it’s safe to do so and help is delayed – removing it improperly may worsen the injury.
• Check for breathing and pulse while waiting for emergency responders.

General tips for severe trauma injuries

Why it matters: Following trauma survival tips helps stabilize the victim, prevent complications and improve survival odds until medical help arrives. Quick actions like controlling bleeding, managing airways and preventing shock can save lives and aid responders in providing effective care.

Always prioritize calling for professional medical help – immediate actions are crucial but should not replace proper treatment.

• Control bleeding by applying firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage (for heavy bleeding, use a tourniquet above the injury if you are trained to do so).
• Maintain airway and breathing by tilting the head back and checking for obstructions.
• Prevent shock by laying the person flat on their back and elevating their legs slightly.
• Immobilize injuries with a splint or sturdy object and don’t move the victim unless there is immediate danger.
• Regularly check for breathing, pulse and signs of worsening shock (pale skin, rapid pulse or confusion).
• Your composure can impact the victim’s response to the situation, so speak reassuringly and act with purpose.

The importance of trauma treatment

Key points: Trauma requires timely and specialized treatment to facilitate healing and restore a patient’s health. When trauma occurs, trauma centers play a critical role in delivering lifesaving care.

Level I and level II trauma centers offer advanced surgical care, specialized treatment teams and are equipped with in-house trauma surgeons to provide high-quality trauma care for severe injuries. 

• There is no clinical difference in care between level I and level II trauma centers, with the key difference being that level I trauma centers also provide ongoing research.

These hospitals offer immediate treatment for physical trauma, including emergency surgeries, internal bleeding stabilization and rehabilitation services. 

• Their role is central in managing severe injuries that could otherwise have negative outcomes without expert care.
• Untreated physical trauma can result in a range of complications, from infection and chronic pain to permanent disability or death.
• Timely intervention, such as surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, is crucial for adequate recovery.