Spinal Injury Suspected
Preventing cord damage after major trauma
Step by Step
Suspect a spinal injury after falls from height, road crashes, diving accidents, or significant head injury, or if the person has neck or back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Call emergency services. Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger. Ask them to keep still, and if trained, support the head in the position found. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, opening the airway and starting CPR take priority over protecting the spine. Keep them warm and reassured until help arrives.
Related Guides
Head Injury Assessment
Call emergency services if the person was knocked out, even briefly, or shows red flags: confusion, drowsiness, repeated vomiting,...
Stroke Recognition FAST
Use FAST: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness or numbness, Speech difficulty or slurring, Time to call emergency services imme...
Seizure First Aid
Time the seizure. Protect the head with something soft and move hard or sharp objects away. Do not restrain the person or put anyt...
Meningitis Recognition
Key signs: fever with severe headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and f...