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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person fell on home or building stairs and may be injured.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person crumpled on steps, crying, unable to stand.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Head wound, odd limb angle, or brief blackout.
Scene hazards: Further falls on stairs, Sharp edges
Moving may worsen spinal injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Clear foot traffic — prevent second fall.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask: "Can you move fingers and toes? Any neck pain?"
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If alert and no spine pain, help sit against wall carefully.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If vomiting or confused after head hit — keep on side if spine OK per guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. "Fall down stairs. [Age]. [Conscious/unconscious]. Head hit yes/no."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unlock door for paramedics.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Any loss of consciousness or anticoagulant use needs evaluation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Persistent neck or back pain — assume spinal injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pull under arms up the stairs.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give food or drink if confused.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they can stand up after a stair fall they are fine
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fractures and brain bleeds can appear later. Falling again from dizziness is common.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sending someone with concussion to shower or sleep.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stair falls combine height and hard edges — head, spine, and hip injuries common.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Adrenaline may hide fracture pain initially.