What should you do for a person with suspected head, neck, or spinal injury?

What should you do for a person with suspected head, neck, or spinal injury?

• A. Remove any helmets immediately.
• B. Move them to a comfortable position.
• C. Check their blood sugar first.
• D. Do not move them, keep calm, call 911.

Answer: (D)

When there’s a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury, any movement can worsen damage to the spinal cord. The priority is to keep the person still and secure until trained responders can immobilize and transport them safely. That’s why the best action is to stay with them, keep them calm, and call emergency services right away so professional care can stabilize the neck and spine and manage the airway if needed. Removing a helmet, moving the person to a more comfortable position, or checking an unrelated condition like blood sugar could cause harmful movement or delay proper immobilization. If the person becomes unresponsive and not breathing, you would provide CPR while avoiding neck movement (have the head in a neutral position and use a jaw-thrust to open the airway).

When there’s a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury, any movement can worsen damage to the spinal cord. The priority is to keep the person still and secure until trained responders can immobilize and transport them safely. That’s why the best action is to stay with them, keep them calm, and call emergency services right away so professional care can stabilize the neck and spine and manage the airway if needed.

Removing a helmet, moving the person to a more comfortable position, or checking an unrelated condition like blood sugar could cause harmful movement or delay proper immobilization. If the person becomes unresponsive and not breathing, you would provide CPR while avoiding neck movement (have the head in a neutral position and use a jaw-thrust to open the airway).