If a person reports hitting their head and exhibits blood and fluids from their ear, what should you do?

The situation described involves a person who has potentially sustained a serious head injury, indicated by the report of hitting their head and the presence of blood and fluids from the ear. In this context, providing manual stabilization is the most crucial immediate response. This action helps to prevent any further injury to the spine or neck, which may be compromised due to the trauma. By stabilizing the head and neck, you minimize any movement that could worsen an existing injury.

Manual stabilization involves keeping the person's head and neck in a fixed position, reducing the risk of additional damage until professional medical assistance can take over. This is particularly important because injuries to the head can often be complicated by spinal injuries, and movement can exacerbate the situation.

Encouraging the individual to walk it off or allowing them to lay down and recover could lead to further complications, as it does not appropriately address the potential severity of the injury. Checking for signs of a concussion can be a necessary follow-up action, but it should not take precedence over ensuring the person's stability in this acute situation. Immediate stabilization prioritizes the person's safety, which is the most important consideration in any emergency response.