If you suspect someone has a spinal injury and they cannot maintain an open airway, you need to place them in the recovery position.
Follow the advice below to try and keep the spine as straight as possible while maintaining the airway.
What to do
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If you are alone, place them in the recovery position following the normal technique. Try to keep the head and spine in a straight line where possible while maintaining an open airway.
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If you have a helper, one of you should steady the head and neck while maintaining an open airway, keeping it in line with the spine while the other turns the casualty into the recovery position following the normal technique.
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If there are four or more people, you can use the log roll technique but you need to be with someone who has been taught this on a First Aid course:.
Spinal injury
There are a variety of possible causes for a spinal injury. The greatest risk is damage to the spinal cord. Find out what to do and what to look for.
