OVERVIEW
INJURIES
Injuries, especially childhod injuries are a part of daily life - but what happens if they occur just before a planned holiday, or even worse - while you are abroad?
Common injuries include breaking a bone, severe sunburn and head / facial or dental injuries from falling.
Read below for general information on travelling with / after an injury and some useful resources for improving your first aid skills. This is vital information provided by the red cross so take some time to visit their webpage - one day you may just save your child's life.
Passengers who have experienced serious injuries within 7 days prior to travel, including from falls, burns, fractures or accidents of any nature, should contact their airline to determine their suitability to travel.
This is particularly important with injuries affecting thehead or chest, as these may cause cardio-respiratory decompensation at altitude.
Depending on the injury you may need medical clearance, or a fitness to fly certificate.
WHAT IS MEDICAL CLEARANCE?
(Information taken from the civil aviation authority CAA website)
You may be asked for proof of your “fitness to fly” when requesting assistance. If you have a stable condition, there is generally no need to be cleared for travel.
There are usually two parts to the medical clearance process:
You will be asked to provide information about your situation or condition and, for many passengers, this will be all you will need to complete.
If the airline has concerns about how flying might impact your particular condition, it will ask you to complete a further form.
You may also be asked to provide medical proof at this stage, often a doctor’s note.
It is always best, in more complex cases, to contact the airline concerned in order that their medical adviser can have as much information as possible before making a decision on fitness to fly.
FURTHER INFORMATION
BROKEN BONES
Broken bones are a common childhood injury, and can happen in the blink of an eye.
CLAVICLE
Around 10% of child fractures involve breaking a clavicle, with more than half occuring in kids under the age of 7.
These heal quickly and recover fully. Injuries are usually the result of a fall on an outstretched hand with the force transmitted up the arm. Treatment may require surgery but normally comprises rest, pain relief and a special sling to hold the forearm against the chest.
Flying after a broken clavicle in the UK is possible if the bone is set and secured, and your doctor says it's safe. However, you should still consult your airline before traveling.
BROKEN ARM OR LEG
The treatment for a broken arm or leg usually includes a plaster or fibreglass/resin cast to immobilise the broken bone. Checks are made when the cast is first put on to make sure that it isn't too tight and doesn't stop the circulation to the tissues. However, problems can still occur if the tissues around the fracture swell after the cast has been applied, either as a result of the injury itself or due to blood pooling in the immobilised limb.
Because of the risk that swelling inside a cast can affect the circulation, many airlines restrict flying after a cast has been fitted for:
24hrs if the flights is 2hrs or less
48 hrs if the flight is 2hrs +
If you have a broken arm or leg, you will not be allowed to sit in an emergency exit row.
Also, if you have a broken leg and are unable to bend your knee to sit normally, you may be required to purchase additional seats so that you have enough space. This will also allow you to elevate the leg during the flight.
FOR URGENT TRAVEL
If you need to fly before the stated guideline the airline will usually require the cast to be split along its full length before you fly, as any swelling will not then affect the circulation. This can be arranged at the hospital.
You may also have to make arrangements to have the cast replaced once you reach your destination. It is helpful to carry a letter confirming the date and time of application of the cast, especially if you have not had the cast split.
HEAD INJURY / CONCUSSION
Flying with a recent brain injury, even if only a concussion, can be dangerous. The possibility of a brain hemorrhage is one of the most serious concerns when flying with a concussion.
It is generally safe to fly after a mild traumatic head injury if you doctor says it has healed.
You should wait until the worst symptoms have passed and have been cleared to fly. There should also be no brain bleed or skull fracture.
The amount of time it takes for the brain to heal properly varies by person, but airlines recommend waiting at least 10 days after an incident.
Concussions can be caused by either direct or indirect head trauma. The first can occur as a result of a slip and fall accident, a car accident, an assault, or a rapid head acceleration and deceleration, as in whiplash injuries.
Symptoms are typically temporary and can show as headaches, difficulty with balance and coordination, and memory and concentration issues.
The following are serious symptoms that should prompt immediate consultation with a medical professional (GP or in hospital).
Amnesia
Vomiting
Blurry vision
Forgetfulness
Slurred speech
Behavioral changes
Dizziness or "seeing stars"
Delayed response to questions
Temporary loss of consciousness
SUNBURN
Approximately 9 million Brits get sunburnt abroad each year. I still remember the pain of being badly burnt down my back, the back of my legs and behind my knees when I was 15.
I couldnt walk or shower and sleeping was difficult - my misery totally ruined our family holiday!
Keeping autistic children safe in the sun can be extra difficult, particularly if they have sensory issues and try to avoid the application of suncream or wearing of spf beach clothing, like mine both do.
On a bad day it can sometimes be so difficult to get them to wear suncream / UV safe clothing we simply have to stay inside. I have spent many summer days sitting in dark rooms with the boys just longing to go outside!
If you or your child does get sunburnt then I advise follow the NHS advice for treatment and care.
RED FLAGS:
You should seek medical advice if a young child or baby has sunburn, as their skin is particularly fragile.
If a sunburnt child (of adult) starts to feel unwell, if the burn is over a large area or if they have any of the more severe symptoms shown below you should consult with a GP as soon as possible. Symptoms include
blistering or swelling of the skin (oedema)
chills
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above, or 37.5C (99.5F) or above in children under five
dizziness, headaches and feeling sick (symptoms of heat exhaustion)
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Learn skills to help a baby or child with first aid or in an emergency
- Vital information for Parents from the Red Cross. Covers all injuries and emergencies such as choking, head injury, seizure, breathing difficulty, meningitis, heat stroke, vomiting and diarrhoea and more.
NHS Broken Leg information leaflet
First Aid for Fractures from the Mayo Clinic
Learn First Aid for Burns - Information from the Red Cross
General First Aid Advice from NHS site Fit For Travel