Dr. David Crawford Shares What to Do in Case of a Spinal Injury

Spinal injuries are no laughing matter. Someone who has hit their spine, nape, or head might not even be able to move for a while. That’s why it’s the duty of bystanders to assist the injured and provide first aid.

Dr. David Crawford explains in detail what you should do if you ever encounter someone with a spinal injury:

Step 1: Call for Help
The first thing you need to do is to call for help. Dial 911 or reach out to the nearest hospital that provides emergy medical treatments. If there’s a nearby orthopedist in the area, contact them.

Pro Tip: Dr. David Crawford advises everyone to save the numbers of all institutions that provide medical help in their area. This will prove to be useful not just with spinal injuries, but in all kinds of accidents as well.

Step 2: Provide Airway Without Moving the Head
Do not move the injured’s head. As much as possible keep their neck steady at all times. Even the slightest movement can worsen the trauma.

If they are not breathing, gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward. However, you are under no circumstances to tilt the injured’s head backward.

Do chest compressions if the injured has no pulse.

Step 3: Keep Headgear On
A lot of people who suffer from spinal injuries are athletes that engage in contact sports such as football, hockey, or rugby. If they are wearing a helmet, keep it on. Carelessly moving the injured’s neck might worsen the trauma on the spine.

Note: Dr. David Crawford states you are only allowed to remove the headgear if it is blocking the injured’s airway.

Step 4: Move the Person Carefully
Be extra careful when moving the person. As much as possible, seek help from other people when rolling the injured from one place to another. Remember to support the neck.

Bottom Line
The main takeaway here is to be careful. Dr. David Crawford emphasizes you should not do anything you are not 100% sure of and to only support the survival of the injured. Don’t play the hero.

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