If you suspect a spine or back injury, what is the most important action?

If you suspect a spine or back injury, what is the most important action?

• A. Move the victim onto a chair to avoid lying down
• B. Check for a pulse and breathing first
• C. Immobilize head and neck before and after placing on stretcher
• D. Remove jewelry from around the neck

Answer: (C)

When a spine or back injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine. Immobilizing the head and neck keeps the spine in a neutral alignment, protecting the spinal cord from further injury as you assess and transport the person. Start by gently stabilizing the head and neck in line with the body, and keep this stabilization as you move the person onto a stretcher or backboard, continuing to maintain that alignment throughout transport. Breathing and circulation are important too, so monitor them while you stabilize, but the key action that minimizes the risk of worsening injury is keeping the head and neck immobile. Moving the person to a chair or removing neck jewelry isn’t necessary for spinal protection and can expose the spine to additional movement.

When a spine or back injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine. Immobilizing the head and neck keeps the spine in a neutral alignment, protecting the spinal cord from further injury as you assess and transport the person. Start by gently stabilizing the head and neck in line with the body, and keep this stabilization as you move the person onto a stretcher or backboard, continuing to maintain that alignment throughout transport.

Breathing and circulation are important too, so monitor them while you stabilize, but the key action that minimizes the risk of worsening injury is keeping the head and neck immobile. Moving the person to a chair or removing neck jewelry isn’t necessary for spinal protection and can expose the spine to additional movement.