Neck Injury Attorney

Providing first aid to someone with a neck injury

When an accident happens and someone seems to have broken his or her neck, call 911 immediately, and make sure not to move the victim, especially his or her head or neck. Securing the neck injury victim is important, but moving him or her might worsen the injury. But there are situations and circumstances when a person with a broken neck needs to be moved. After the accident occurs and medical help has not yet arrived, the persons on the scene should watch out for the victim until the ambulance arrives.

Securing the neck injury victim and giving first aid

A person with a neck injury may only be moved in the following situations:

When NOT moving the victim would pose an immediate threat to his or her life (when you need to get the victim out of the line of traffic, perhaps); when the victim is choking on blood or vomiting; when it seems like the victim is not breathing, and you would need to check his pulse or perform CPR.

In the event that the victim should be moved, he or she should be carried or rolled over carefully, making sure that the neck and head are immobile, and the whole body moved as one unit. Doing this requires at least two people to secure the victim: one holding the head and neck, the other holding the feet and legs.

If the victim needs CPR, perform the procedure carefully, and make sure not to lift the victim’s head to open his or her airway when doing so. Open the jaw instead, placing a finger on either side to do it.