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This injury is usually caused by direct force to the jaw, either by a blow or a heavy fall. The pain can be severe and is often made worse by movement of the jaw, which is hard to avoid. Fast removal of the casualty to hospital is vital, but in the meantime you can make him or her more comfortable.
1. Encourage him or her to sit upright with his or her head tilted forward. This will encourage blood and saliva to drain from the mouth rather than necessitating swallowing.
2. Give the casualty a soft pad and allow him or her to hold it in place against the painful jaw to support it. Encourage him or her to keep the jaw supported but do not attempt to bandage it in place.
If the Facial Injury Victim is Unconscious
1. Check frequently that the airway is clear.
2. Place the casualty in the recovery position.
3. Call an ambulance immediately.
4. If a fractured jaw is suspected. slip a pad of soft material under the head in order to prevent its weight resting on and further damaging the jaw.
An injury above chest level should be treated as a suspected spinal injury.
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