Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
LESSON 3: INITIATE RESCUE BREATHING ON AN ADULT
3-4
3-4. CHECK FOR SPINAL INJURY
Check the casualty for a spinal injury. If the casualty has a spinal injury, minimize any additional movement of the casualty (using the jaw-thrust method of opening the airway rather than the head-tilt/chin-lift method, for example). Moving a casualty with a fractured spine may cause additional damage to the spinal cord, which could result in paralysis or even death. If you suspect a spinal injury, perform your efforts as though you knew that a fracture of the spine were present. Do not try to straighten a fractured spine. Signs of spinal injury include:
a. Bruises and/or swelling over the spinal area.
b. Casualty lying in an abnormal (deformed) position.
c. Fluid draining from one or both ears.
