One of the most difficult injuries to treat is any injury to the spine. A spinal cord injury can result in paralysis of the legs, arms and worse, total paralysis, including the respiratory system. Where and how much damage depends on the location of the injury to the spine, the higher the injury, the more paralysis there will be. Treating someone with a spine injury can be tricky as you can do more damage than good if you are not extremely careful.

Pay Attention

Next to blood borne pathogen training, first aid training for possible spinal cord injuries is one of the most important courses and will require your complete focus and concentration. One little misstep can end up costing someone the use of their legs or worse. Injury to the spine can be anywhere from the top of the buttocks to the base of the skull. If you come across an accident victim, you should always go by the assumption that there is a spine injury, just to be on the safe side.

If you suspect an injury to the spine, follow these precautions:

– NEVER MOVE A PERSON WITH A POSSIBLE SPINE INJURY unless they are in clear and present danger of further injury or death. For instance, if they are in or near a fire, they must be moved but even then, be extremely careful if time allows.

– Call for professional medical help to move anyone with a back injury who is not in clear and imminent danger.

– If there is danger near and you must move the person, immobilize the body and neck. This includes the legs and arms but most importantly, the head and neck must stay together in movement. If possible, slide a board or firm, flat object under the back and neck, keeping them in the exact position in which you found it. Find a soft, hefty material to place on either side of the head to keep it stationary. If the person is conscious and lucid, recruit their help by telling them it is crucial that they remain perfectly still.

– If the victim is in the water, do not drag them from it. You can use the water to float the body. The water will help support the back, neck, and head.

– If there is excessive bleeding from the mouth and nose, you may need to roll the person onto their side to clear the airway. If this is the case, roll them in such a way as to move the back and head together. You must roll them in one fluid movement making sure the entire body moves in one motion. If the bleeding is minor, just wipe the mouth and nose as often as needed to prevent it becoming a problem for them.

Prevention

Treat any other injuries you can find without moving the injured person. Control all bleeding and protect open wounds. Wait with the person, keeping them perfectly still until help arrives. You can prevent spine injuries by following these simple rules.

– Wear your seatbelt
– Wear a helmet when riding any kind of bike.
– Do not dive into water unless you are familiar with it, and even then, recheck it for debris.
– Keep back, neck, and abdominal muscles strong through exercise but never exercise alone.

Help Is On The Way

Remember that every accident should be treated as if there are back injuries. Always wait for emergency services to arrive before moving someone unless they are in danger and not moving them could result in further injury or death. If you have time, board the back and neck, if not, be careful to move the person without causing them further injury. Never put yourself in harm’s way.

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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: SPINE INJURY ,blood borne pathogen training,first aid training ,injury,HIPAA Privacy Rule