Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with neck fracture, use emergency mode.
Do this nowThis content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After diving, vehicle crash, fall, or sports impact, the person has neck pain or cannot move arms or legs normally.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Do not move neck. Hold head still. Wait for ambulance.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Neck pain or stiffness after diving, crash, or fall.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tingling or weakness in arms, legs, or both.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Head held at odd angle or person unconscious after major impact.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The neck protects the spinal cord. A broken neck bone can paralyze breathing muscles or all four limbs.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some neck fractures have little visible injury — pain or numbness after trauma still counts.
Check the scene before you approach.
Any neck movement can sever or compress the spinal cord.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout: "Do not move your neck!" Call 112.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Block bystanders from pulling the person up by the shoulders.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep person flat. Hands on sides of head to hold neutral position — do not force.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Leave helmet on unless trained removal is needed for breathing.
When and how to get professional help.
All suspected neck fractures need paramedic immobilization.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not remove motorcycle helmet unless airway emergency and you are trained.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Suspected neck fracture. Do not move patient. Need spine board."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Neck fractures are always emergencies requiring specialized transport.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT move the neck to check pulse at the neck.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT place a pillow under the head if it bends the neck forward.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT transport in a regular car without spine board if avoidable — wait for ambulance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should always remove a helmet immediately
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Helmet removal can twist the neck. Leave it on unless airway cannot be managed otherwise and you know safe technique.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Fall from height
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person fell from a ladder, roof, balcony, tree, or building. They may have multiple injuries including head, spine, chest, and limbs.
Femur fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After a major fall or crash, the thigh is very painful, swollen, or bent wrong. The person cannot bear weight on the leg.
Open fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A broken bone has pierced the skin, or there is a deep wound with visible bone. Bleeding may be present.
Pelvic fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After a fall from height, vehicle crash, or crush injury, the person has severe pain in the hip, groin, or lower belly and cannot move easily.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Monitor breathing. If stopped, follow dispatcher CPR instructions without moving neck if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Spinal cord injury during helmet pull-off.