Loading...
Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After diving, vehicle crash, fall, or sports impact, the person has neck pain or cannot move arms or legs normally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
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.
Scene hazards: Traffic, Water, Fire, Unstable vehicle
Any neck movement can sever or compress the spinal cord.
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.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Monitor breathing. If stopped, follow dispatcher CPR instructions without moving neck if possible.
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.
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.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should always remove a helmet immediately
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Helmet removal can twist the neck. Leave it on unless airway cannot be managed otherwise and you know safe technique.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Spinal cord injury during helmet pull-off.
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.