A variety of situations such as vehicle entrapment, falling debris, industrial accident, mining accidents and cave-ins or by prolonged pressure to a part of the body due to their own body weight in an immobile casualty.

Possible injuries – Lacerations, fractures, bleeding, bruising, spinal injury and in severe cases where a large portion of the body is crushed, crush syndrome may develop.
The casualty may have no pain and there may be no external signs of injury. They may go into shock or become unconscious. An ambulance should be called immediately. All casualties who have been subjected to crush injuries should be taken to hospital for immediate investigation.

Signs and symptoms

• A crushing force

• The casualty may not complain of pain and there may be no external signs of injury

• Any other injuries caused by the impact of the force

• Wounds and bleeding

• Embedded objects

• Bruising

• Fractures and dislocations

• Shock

• Head injury, concussion, spinal injury

• Conscious or unconsciousness

First aid

For small injuries, e.g. crushing a finger in a car door:

• Run under cold water and/or apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruising

• Bandage or cover wounds or split skin

• See a doctor if stitching is required or the injury does not get better

For large injuries:

• Call an ambulance

• If it is safe and physically possible, all crushing forces should be removed from the casualty as soon as possible

• Control any bleeding

• Keep casualty warm and still

• Make comfortable, use padding and pillows for fractures or dislocations

• Monitor the casualty’s condition and vital signs until ambulance arrives

• Do not leave the casualty except if necessary to call an ambulance

• Do not use a tourniquet for the first aid management of a crush injury