Can you use an AED on a casualty with a suspected spinal injury?

If a person is in cardiac arrest as a result of traumatic injuries, you still can use an AED.

When you suspect neck injury What action should you take to open the patient’s airway?

If it’s necessary to open their airway, place your hands on either side of their head and gently lift their jaw with your fingertips to open the airway. Take care not to move their neck.

What is the first thing you should do if a person is unconscious with blood oozing from his head?

Call 911 right away if:

1. There is severe head or face bleeding.
2. The person is confused, tired, or unconscious.
3. The person stops breathing.
4. You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury.

What is the first aid management of an unconscious casualty with a suspected spinal injury?

Follow DRSABCD action plan. Place the unconscious patient in recovery position supporting neck and spine in a neutral position at all times to prevent twisting or bending movements. Maintain a clear and open airway. If the ambulance is delayed, apply a cervical collar, if trained to do so, to minimise neck movement.

Do you perform CPR on someone with a spinal injury?

Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the person’s head or neck. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR, but do not tilt the head back to open the airway.

What do you do if a person is unresponsive but breathing?

Learn first aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing

1. Check their breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths.
2. Move them onto their side and tilt their head back.
3. Call 999 as soon as possible.

How do you position a person who is unresponsive but vomiting?

If a person is unconscious, or non-responsive but breathing, they should be placed in the recovery position while waiting for help to arrive (see How to help someone who has taken a drug). If they are left lying on their back they could suffocate on their vomit or their tongue could block their airway.

When checking for breathing in an unresponsive patient you should?

1. Check breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths. When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe. Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward.

How would you manage an unconscious breathing casualty with a possible spinal injury?

What to do

1. Reassure the casualty. Do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.
2. Steady and support their head so that their head, neck, and spine are in a straight line to try and prevent further damage.
3. Open their airway using the jaw-thrust technique.
4. Check the casualty’s breathing.