Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

8 Muscle, Bone and Joint Injuries

First Aid for Spinal Injury • Carefully assess the mechanism of injury and the force involved. • Steady and stabilize the head and spine as soon as possible to ensure spinal motion restriction (SMR) • Activate 911 and get medical help. • If you leave to summon help, carefully place the patient in the recovery position, maintaining the head and neck in-line with the body. • Assess and monitor the airway and breathing continuously. Be prepared to provide CPR if breathing becomes ineffective or ceases. • Perform a rapid body scan. Support the head and neck as you roll the patient. Gently and carefully check the back for D.O.T.S. (deformity, open wounds, tenderness or swelling).

• Perform the secondary assessment. Obtain patient history and vital signs. • Provide First Aid for shock. • Provide ongoing care, maintaining stabilization of the head and spine until medical help takes over. • Do not move the patient without immobilizing them first unless there is an immediate threat to life.

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