Medical question

[Redsatinsheets]

I have a scene in a story I am writing where a person is pulled out of cold water with a gash on the forehead. They are obviously hypothermic and, as it turns out later, the gash came with a 'free' concussion. Is it reasonable for this individual to be unconscious for several hours while they regain temperature self regulation and the effects of the blow to the head wear off? I am assuming that the individual has no serious issues such as a brain bleed. Or would this person be at least somewhat aware and responsive?

And as a doctor would you try to keep the person alert or would you let them 'sleep it off'?

Asking for a friend.

 

[KyleR215]

How long was the person in the cold water? How cold is the water?

If they are hypothermic, and had a gash in the forehead, what is the blood loss?

There are a lot of variables. Is the person in reasonably good health? Underlying health issues?

In a perfect world (a TV hour procedural) this person could be rescued from the water with this gash. As they “warm up” they could have moments of lucidity. They could see aliens with 8 arms and Jetson spaceships.

This “cold person” could be in a cabin and see a bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup and think she is his caretaker.

This is your story. You write it.

 

[OralAllOver]

I have a scene in a story I am writing where a person is pulled out of cold water with a gash on the forehead. They are obviously hypothermic and, as it turns out later, the gash came with a 'free' concussion. Is it reasonable for this individual to be unconscious for several hours while they regain temperature self regulation and the effects of the blow to the head wear off? I am assuming that the individual has no serious issues such as a brain bleed. Or would this person be at least somewhat aware and responsive?

And as a doctor would you try to keep the person alert or would you let them 'sleep it off'?

Asking for a friend.

1st priority is to warm them up and determine if they are in shock... consciousness helps!

 

[Redsatinsheets]

How long was the person in the cold water? How cold is the water?

If they are hypothermic, and had a gash in the forehead, what is the blood loss?

There are a lot of variables. Is the person in reasonably good health? Underlying health issues?

In a perfect world (a TV hour procedural) this person could be rescued from the water with this gash. As they “warm up” they could have moments of lucidity. They could see aliens with 8 arms and Jetson spaceships.

This “cold person” could be in a cabin and see a bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup and think she is his caretaker.

This is your story. You write it.

It is my story but I want to make the medical side right. I don’t want to go against Mother Nature’s laws.

 

[Redsatinsheets]

1st priority is to warm them up and determine if they are in shock... consciousness helps!

Priority one was to apply a quick compression bandage to scalp to slow or halt bleeding. Followed by warming them up from the core. They were plucked out of the ocean having been there for some time. I am assuming their core temp was near critical. It makes a better story to have the victim be unconscious for a few hours to allow the rescuer time to recover themselves. I do want things to be possible.
Movies seem to indicate that a whack on the head and you go out for a while. Real life seems to show people coming back in moments or maybe minutes. Had not considered shock. I guess I need to google some more.

 

[RobertTurner1982]

I have a scene in a story I am writing where a person is pulled out of cold water with a gash on the forehead. They are obviously hypothermic and, as it turns out later, the gash came with a 'free' concussion. Is it reasonable for this individual to be unconscious for several hours while they regain temperature self regulation and the effects of the blow to the head wear off? I am assuming that the individual has no serious issues such as a brain bleed. Or would this person be at least somewhat aware and responsive?

And as a doctor would you try to keep the person alert or would you let them 'sleep it off'?

Asking for a friend.

I don't know about medical procedures, but once I found myself in a situation where a friend's body temperature dropped to the point where she wasn't going to make it without help. In this situation, getting medical help wasn't a possibility, and being so, I was alone and on my own.

Fortunately, there was no gash or concussion, just hypothermia. She kept wanting to go to sleep, but I made her stay awake and fed her warm water to warm her from the inside. I don't know what the correct medical procedure might be, but it worked.

In your hypothetical situation, you mentioned a gash? The first thing you have to do is stop the bleeding. If they bleed out, you will lose them no matter what you do. And as far as a concussion, I don't think you will find a one-size-fits-all answer. I have heard that if a head injury is bad enough, the doctors may put the patient in an induced coma to keep them alive, and if the injury is not too bad, they may feel it is best to keep the patient conscious to warm them up. I think every situation would be different and have to be handled differently.

Just my opinion, but if the patient is in the hospital, they have all kinds and procedures and equipment to bring the patient back, but if you are out in the boonies alone, you do what you have to do. And perhaps, say a little prayer......