Wilderness Medicine Case Study 56

While paddling a Class V section on the Wind River in WA, a 35 year-old intermediate kayaker turned over in a rocky rapid. While upside down, Jamie hit his face and head against a boulder before being scraped out of his boat. He was rescued by his friends unresponsive and with a pulse, but not breathing. He started breathing spontaneously after one of his friends delivered a few rescue breaths. Five minutes later he awakened with a severe headache (7) and no memory of the event. Jamie's neck is stiff and painful (4) with mid-line spinal tenderness at C-3 and a tingling, electric-like pain shooting down his right arm whenever he moves his head. He appears somewhat stunned or dazed and reports numbness in his upper lip and gums and difficulty breathing through his nose. His nose is both painful (4) and tender. He is able to stand but has difficulty with his balance and walking.

What is wrong with Jamie and what should you do? Click here to find out.

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