How should you handle a suspected spinal injury?

Handling a suspected spinal injury requires a cautious approach to prevent further harm. Minimizing movement and stabilizing the head and neck is crucial because any unnecessary movement could exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to paralysis or other serious complications. By stabilizing these areas, you help protect the spinal cord and allow medical professionals to take over without causing additional injury.

In cases of suspected spinal injuries, movements should be restricted, as the person may have suffered trauma that risks their spinal stability. This is why encouraging movement or lifting the person to safety can be harmful and is not advisable. Additionally, while CPR may be necessary for an unresponsive person under different circumstances, it should only be performed if the situation allows for it without compromising the spine, and it is critical to ensure the airway is being managed properly without causing further injury to the spine.