Neck injuries and stabilization

When Should You Suspect a Neck Injury?

In traffic accidents, you should always suspect a neck injury when there has been a strong impact to the head, neck, or back. Typical situations include:

• Rear-end collision — whiplash mechanism
• High-speed run-off-road accidents
• Motorcycle or bicycle accidents with falls
• Pedestrian hit by a car
• The person complains of pain in the neck or back
• Reduced sensation or movement in arms or legs

How to Stabilize

Important Rules

• Never move a person with a suspected neck injury unless there is immediate life danger (fire, explosion)
• Do not place the person in recovery position — it can worsen a spinal cord injury
• Never remove the helmet from a motorcyclist without special training
• The car’s seatbelt and airbag provide good protection, but neck injuries can still occur

Exceptions — Life-Saving Measures

If the person stops breathing, saving their life takes precedence over the risk of neck injury:

• Open the airway carefully with jaw lift (do not tilt the head backward)
• Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is not breathing
• Call 911 and follow the operator’s instructions

Traffic Prevention

• Properly adjusted headrest reduces the risk of whiplash
• The headrest should reach the top of the head and be as close to the head as possible
• Good seating posture and seatbelt use are crucial

Common Pitfalls on the Theory Test

• Believing that unconscious people should always be placed in the recovery position — not in case of neck injury
• Forgetting that lack of sensation in the arms/ben is a warning sign
• Not knowing that helmet removal may worsen the injury

Further Reading

• Complete prioritization in first aid for traffic accidents
• Learn to recognize shock and symptoms
• See the correct technique for recovery position when neck injury is excluded
• Understand the procedure for cardiopulmonary resuscitation