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Injuries to the spine
Injuries to the spine cause damage
to the bones of the spine, the spinal cord or to the tissues
and blood vessels surrounding the spinal cord. Spinal cord
Injury causes great physical and emotional burden. The primary
goal of first aid is to prevent further Injury. If unresponsive
victim Is lying flat on their back and has debris, blood or
difficulty breathing from secretions in the mouth or you must
leave them to get help, use HAINES position to protect the
airway.
Signs and Symptoms First Aid
Altered mental status
Obvious injury to the neck, head or back
Numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in the hands,
fingers, feet, or toes
Spinal pain, pressure, or tenderness
Multiple injuries, including open or closed fractures.
Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Bullet or stab wound to the head, neck, or chest
Headfirst dive into shallow water.
Assume a
spinal injury has occurred when victim:
Has been exposed to physical force and has any of signs and
symptoms from the above list.
Was in a motor vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, ATV) or bicycle
crash (occupant or pedestrian).
Fell from greater than a standing height.
Has been exposed to physical force and appears drunk or older
than 65.
Tell responsive
victim not to move.
Place your hands on both sides of the victim’s head
to stabilize it.
Keep the head, neck and spine in line.
Comfort, calm, and reassure
Do Not ask
the injured victim to move in order to try to find a pain
response.
Do Not move theinjured victim
to test for a pain response.
DO NOT move the injured
victim to perform a physical assessment
DO NOT bend, twist, or lift
injured victims head or body.
DO NOT move the injured
victim before medical help arrives unless their life is in
danger.
DO NOT remove a helmet if
a spinal injury is suspected.
When caring for children
Spinal injury in children is rare,
but the risk is greatest when the child has multiple injuries
or chest injuries. Distress and discomfort may make it difficult
to restrict spinal motion in a child. The first aid provider
should do his or her best to hold the child’s head in
the position in which it was found.
When caring
for older persons
Loss of normal bone density, mass, and strength make older
people more likely to fracture bones, including spinal bones.
Older persons who have other medical problems that make them
prone to falling (for example, stroke) may also be more vulnerable
to spinal injury. The first aid provider should do his or
her best to manually restrict the victim’s head n the
position in which it was found.
Caution:
Pain and loss of junction usually
accompany a spinal injury, but the absence of pain does not
mean that the victim has not been significantly injured, if
you suspect a victim could possibly have a spinal injury,
assume they do!
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