11 back and neck injuries
TRANSCRIPT
Emergency First Aid for Children
11. Back and Neck Injuries
Spinal Injuries
Pages 48-49
Spinal InjuriesSigns and symptoms
• Suspect a spinal injury if a person:
• Has suffered a significant impact/fall
• Is unconscious after head injury
• Has fallen from a height and injured their face or head
• Says their neck hurts
• Holds their neck in an odd positionPages 48-49
Spinal InjuriesSigns and symptoms cont’d
• Has any paralysis, loss of sensation or numbness in their arms and/or legs
• Is confused or uncooperative• Has lost bowel and bladder control• Has difficulty breathing, with only small
movement of the abdomen• Is lying on their back with arms stretched above
their head, or with arms and hands curled to the chest
Pages 48-49
Spinal Injuries
Conscious Casualty
Aims
• Prevent further injury
• Arrange urgent removal to hospital
Pages 48-49
Spinal InjuriesConscious Casualty
Treatment
• DO NOT MOVE the casualty from the position found (unless in danger or becomes unconscious)
• Reassure casualty and tell them not to move• Steady and support the head in the neutral position
Pages 48-49
Spinal InjuriesConscious Casualty
Treatment cont’d
•Keep the casualty’s head supported at this position until help arrives
•Get a helper to arrange extra support (e.g. rolled towels or blankets), around the casualty’s neck and shoulders and either side of the body – continue to keep the casualty’s head steady.
Pages 48-49
Spinal Injuries
Unconscious Casualty
Aims
• Resuscitate the casualty if necessary
• Maintain an open airway
• Prevent further damage to spine or spinal cord
• Arrange urgent removal to hospital
Pages 48-49
Spinal Injuries
Unconscious Casualty
Treatment
• Keep casualty still in the position they were found
• Hold head still
• If the casualty is already on their back, airway clear with no signs of bleeding or vomiting, keep them in that position
Pages 48-49
Spinal InjuriesUnconscious Casualty Treatment cont’d
• If risk of airway being blocked – place in recovery position using “log roll”
Pages 48-49
Spinal Injuries
REMEMBER
GOLDEN RULE
Casualty must not be moved unless it is vital to do so
Pages 48-49
Emergency First Aid for Children
End of Section