A broken neck is an extremely serious condition. If someone is suspected of having a broken neck, the utmost care and attention must be administered to the victim, and procedures for treatment must be observed flawlessly to ensure the individual's well-being. If these tips are observed to the letter, the chances of recovery for someone with a broken neck may increase dramatically.
Call a Paramedic Immediately
Too many people attempt to treat the victim of a broken neck with hasty procedures and inadequate care. The most vital step to ensuring the wellness of an individual suspected of having cracked a vertebra is to call 911 immediately. Medical help is the paramount necessity in these cases. To determine whether the neck has been broken, you should take note of the following: Does the victim seem to be in severe pain? Where is the pain localized? Does the victim seem to have any feeling in his extremities? Does bruising exist around the injury or to any other parts of the body? Does the victim seem to have difficulty breathing? The ability to answer these questions---and to answer them quickly---can mean the difference between life and death to the victim of a neck injury. These details and the events leading up to the accident must be discussed with a paramedic as soon as one arrives.
Hold the Head and Neck in Place
Allowing a victim to move around after sustaining such an injury may be a costly mistake. You should reassure the victim that she will be taken care of as soon as paramedics arrive, and the neck and head should remain in the position in which they were found. Under no circumstances whatsoever, whether a person is unconscious, in severe pain or has lost the function of her bladder or bowels, must she be moved in an attempt to reposition the neck or the body. Any twisting or bending of the neck or back can be extremely dangerous in these situations, as they may lead to further damage.
Cases of Unconsciousness
If the victim cannot respond to outside stimuli, certain precautions must be taken. The individual's breathing, pulse and circulation should be checked. Pulse should be monitored at the wrist. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be administered in severe cases; however, contrary to normal CPR procedures, the head must not be leaned back in order to clear the airway. Instead, you should place your fingers at the side of the jaw and gently open it so that the jaw may be moved slightly forward. If mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is necessary, it may be done under these circumstances. To move a person from his position when absolutely necessary requires at least two people: one stationed at the head and neck and the other by the person's trunk. The victim's spine---head, neck, and back---must be kept straight while he is moved to the side to administer lifesaving procedures.
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