BACK to SNACK - Survival 14: How to help when a head or spinal injury is suspected
When there could be a head or spinal injury, protect the head and neck from any movement. Head or neck movement could result in life-long disability or death. Adjust your first aid to this situation as:
1. As soon as you see there might be a head or spinal injury, tell the casualty not to move.
2. Once you have consent to help the casualty, steady and support the head and neck, firmly support head in the position found. Then, assess responsiveness.
3. If there is a bystander to help, show them how to support the head and neck so you can continue your assessment. Tell the bystander to keep elbows firmly supported on thighs or ground.
4. Continue your assessment - check the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). If the casualty is unresponsive, check breathing in the position found before opening the airway. If there is no breathing, open the airway with the head-tilt chin lift and check breathing again.
5. If a second bystander is available, show them how to steady and support the feet to prevent movement.
6. Keep the head and neck supported (and the feet if possible) while giving further first aid until handover to medical help, or until the casualty is completely immobilized on a long spine board.
(1-10 Military first aid - Safety oriented)
