Spinal cord injury: rescue techniques
In all first aid care, the carer must take the following steps immediately.
If there is a threat to the patient's life, treat the dangers, airway, breathing and circulation first.
- DANGER: If present, remove the danger or remove the patient from the dangerous environment.
- RESPONSE: Check the patient's conscious state.
- AIRWAY: Ensure the patient's airway is clear — remove vomit, blood, dentures, etc.
- BREATHING: Ensure the patient is breathing.
- CIRCULATION: Ensure that the patient's heart is beating and if there is major external bleeding, control the bleeding by direct pressure.
Remember:
Following an accident, prevent secondary spinal injury by NOT MOVING THE PATIENT if spinal injuries are suspected unless there is a life-threatening reason to do so. Life threat takes precedence over possible spinal injuries.
- Do not move the patient.
- Advise others not to move the patient.
- Send someone to call 000 and ask for an ambulance to attend.
- Reassure the patient.
- Try to find out the patient's name and address.
- Wait with the patient for the arrival of the ambulance officers.
It is more common for spinal injuries to occur without life threat.
Possible spinal injury should be assumed in the following cases.
- Any car accident at greater than 75 km/hour.
- Any pedestrian hit by a car at greater than 30 km/hour.
- Any car accident where there is a car rollover or where a passenger has been thrown from the vehicle.
- Any significant fall, including falls in the elderly.
- Any shallow water diving or surfing accident.
- Following helmet damage from a motorcycle accident.
- Any unconscious trauma patient or significant neck or head injury.
- Any penetrating injuries e.g. a gunshot wound to the spinal region.
- Any trauma to the neck and back if associated with past spinal disease.
- Any physical signs and symptoms associated with the spine e.g. the position the patient was found in, pain or tenderness around the spinal area.
Last Reviewed: 24 January 2003
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