What do you do when someone has a spinal injury?

Answer 1

With any emergency you have to weigh the pros and cons. If someones heart has stopped beating because of trauma (broken spine would leave me to believe it was trauma related) then you have to look at the cause of the injury, the likelihood of saving them and the possibility that if you save them they might be paralyzed.

Now back to the question. Answer: the same way you do it if someone does not have a spinal injury. Just put on a C-Collar, backboard (longboard) and thump away.

Answer 2

If you suspect a spinal injury you should call an ambulance immediatley, assuming the patient is concious, insist they do not move.

Immobilise their cervical spine by placing your hands on either side of their head and holding it still and in a neutral position.... make sure you are confortable as you cannot move until help arrives.

When the medics arrive they will put a C Spine extraction collar on the patient and then spinal board them for transport.

Spinal injuries can be very unstable and can seem fine, patients have been know to stand up themselves, and then turn their heads, sether their spinal cords an die.

It is vital they keep still and you insist they receive further medical treatment if they experience pain, or you think they may have a spinal injury.

Remember, the only way to tell for definite is to X-Ray the spine... so get an ambulance ASAP.

Be sure you monitor the airway throughout the process, as their airway could become compromised if they go unconsious, so keep talking to them....

If there airway does become blocked, this then becomes a priority over their spinal injury. Try a jaw-thrust if you are trained, if not, carefully tilt the head to the slide to allow fluid out of the airway (only if absolutley nececerry to maintain airway)

Hope this helps.

[Source: Medic]

Answer 3

There are various treatments available for spinal chord injury. If you feel that you have such an injury, consult a doctor.

Answer 4

Call 911

Minimize movement of the head, neck and back.

Only move a person with these injuries if the area is or becomes unsafe.

Stay with the person until help arrives.