Emergency First Aid for Children

11. Back and Neck Injuries

Spinal Injuries

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Spinal InjuriesSigns and symptoms

• Suspect a spinal injury if a person:

• Has suffered a significant impact/fall

• Is unconscious after head injury

• Has fallen from a height and injured their face or head

• Says their neck hurts

• Holds their neck in an odd positionPages 48-49

Spinal InjuriesSigns and symptoms cont’d

• Has any paralysis, loss of sensation or numbness in their arms and/or legs

• Is confused or uncooperative• Has lost bowel and bladder control• Has difficulty breathing, with only small

movement of the abdomen• Is lying on their back with arms stretched above

their head, or with arms and hands curled to the chest

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Spinal Injuries

Conscious Casualty

Aims

• Prevent further injury

• Arrange urgent removal to hospital

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Spinal InjuriesConscious Casualty

Treatment

• DO NOT MOVE the casualty from the position found (unless in danger or becomes unconscious)

• Reassure casualty and tell them not to move• Steady and support the head in the neutral position

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Spinal InjuriesConscious Casualty

Treatment cont’d

•Keep the casualty’s head supported at this position until help arrives

•Get a helper to arrange extra support (e.g. rolled towels or blankets), around the casualty’s neck and shoulders and either side of the body – continue to keep the casualty’s head steady.

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Spinal Injuries

Unconscious Casualty

Aims

• Resuscitate the casualty if necessary

• Maintain an open airway

• Prevent further damage to spine or spinal cord

• Arrange urgent removal to hospital

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Spinal Injuries

Unconscious Casualty

Treatment

• Keep casualty still in the position they were found

• Hold head still

• If the casualty is already on their back, airway clear with no signs of bleeding or vomiting, keep them in that position

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Spinal InjuriesUnconscious Casualty Treatment cont’d

• If risk of airway being blocked – place in recovery position using “log roll”

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Spinal Injuries

REMEMBER

GOLDEN RULE

Casualty must not be moved unless it is vital to do so

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Emergency First Aid for Children

End of Section