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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After a fall, crash, dive, or blow, the person has neck or back pain, tingling, weakness, or cannot feel or move parts of the body.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Neck or back pain after a fall, dive, vehicle crash, or heavy blow.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms, legs, or groin area.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cannot move fingers or toes when asked, or loss of bladder or bowel control after injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Head or neck in an odd angle, or person found unconscious after major trauma.
Scene hazards: Traffic, Fire, Unstable vehicle, Water, Further falls
DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON. Any twist or bend of the neck can permanently damage the spinal cord.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout: "Do not move! Help is coming!"
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108 — say suspected spinal injury, do not move patient.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop others from pulling the person up or dragging them by the arms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person flat. Hold the head gently so it stays in line with the body — do not pull or push.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Leave a helmet in place unless breathing requires removal and you are trained to do so.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep them warm with a blanket without shifting their position.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they must be moved for fire or traffic, log-roll the whole body as one unit with several helpers.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say: "Suspected spinal injury. Person must not be moved. Send ambulance with spine board."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe what happened — fall height, diving, vehicle crash, or sports tackle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report whether they can move or feel their hands and feet.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Every suspected spinal cord injury needs emergency professional immobilization and hospital care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON — this is the most important rule.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT sit them up, bend their neck, or twist their back to check injuries.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pull them by the arms, legs, or clothing across the ground.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give food or drink — surgery may be needed.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they can wiggle their toes, the spine is fine
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Partial cord injury can still worsen with movement. Any trauma with symptoms needs full evaluation.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Moving someone because toes move, causing permanent damage.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should quickly move them off the road without support
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Only move if staying put is more dangerous than the move. Move the whole body as one unit.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Permanent paralysis from a quick drag off the road.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The spinal cord carries signals between the brain and body. A broken vertebra can cut or compress these signals.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some spinal injuries have no obvious wound. Pain, numbness, or weakness after trauma still counts.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Moving an injured spine can turn a recoverable injury into permanent paralysis.