Pressure being exerted on the brain from a build-up of blood or fluid, blood clot, or depressed skull (heavy blunt force trauma) can cause cerebral compression. Signs include:

• Fast deterioration level leading to unconsciousness.
• Severe headache.
• Weakness or paralysis in the face or one side of the body.
• Flushed face and high temperature.
• Drowsiness
• Behavioural changes
• Slow noisy breathing
• Unequal pupil sizes or dilated pupils

TREATMENT

• Call for an ambulance immediately
• Lie the casualty on their back with their head slightly raised (if no spinal injury and conscious)
• Monitor response level
• If they stop breathing commence CPR immediately