The Best Way to Identify a Neck Injury
Neck injuries should always be taken seriously.
In severe cases, they can result in mental and physical disability, paralysis and in extreme cases, death.
If you have seen an accident occur, you just might need to find out of the person has a neck injury.
This is very important, because if the person's neck has actually got injured, it is critical that they be immobilized.
It will prevent further damage.
Important Things to Remember Here is the best way of identifying a neck injury: • Survey the area where the accident took place.
Check the position of the injured person.
If the person's neck is twisted at an odd angle or if he/she has landed on the head, the chances of a neck injury are greater.
• If the injured person is in a condition to speak, question him/her about exactly what occurred.
Remind the person not to move.
Getting a description of the incident will help you understand the extent of the damage.
If they have hit their head, ask them not to move and do not attempt to move them either.
• Ask about pain and which part of their body is hurting.
Remind them just to speak and not actually show you as that will involve movement.
Neck injuries are always accompanied by persistent, continuous excruciating neck pain.
Apart from that, the pain may also radiate to the back, arms and legs.
In severe case, the person may feel numbness in certain parts of their body.
• Other symptoms could include inability to move their extremities.
This is generally found when severe neck trauma has occurred.
The victim may also suffer from muscle spasms, headache and dizziness.
Wait for Paramedics It is critical that you should not attempt to move the injured person.
Talk to the victim and keep him/her calm till medical help arrives.
Under no circumstances should you encourage the injured person to rise or test their limbs.
Once some first responders like emergency medical workers or firemen arrive, they will ensure that appropriate equipment is used to transport the person to a medical facility.
Non-critical Injuries If the injury is not severe and the person is able to move freely without too much effort or pain, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
Irrespective of how it may appear, it is important to treat neck injuries with utmost care.
Take the person to an emergency medical facility without delay.
Inform the attending doctor about the circumstances under which the injury occurred.
The doctor will recommend that x-ray's be taken and a thorough check-up will be carried-out.
In severe cases, they can result in mental and physical disability, paralysis and in extreme cases, death.
If you have seen an accident occur, you just might need to find out of the person has a neck injury.
This is very important, because if the person's neck has actually got injured, it is critical that they be immobilized.
It will prevent further damage.
Important Things to Remember Here is the best way of identifying a neck injury: • Survey the area where the accident took place.
Check the position of the injured person.
If the person's neck is twisted at an odd angle or if he/she has landed on the head, the chances of a neck injury are greater.
• If the injured person is in a condition to speak, question him/her about exactly what occurred.
Remind the person not to move.
Getting a description of the incident will help you understand the extent of the damage.
If they have hit their head, ask them not to move and do not attempt to move them either.
• Ask about pain and which part of their body is hurting.
Remind them just to speak and not actually show you as that will involve movement.
Neck injuries are always accompanied by persistent, continuous excruciating neck pain.
Apart from that, the pain may also radiate to the back, arms and legs.
In severe case, the person may feel numbness in certain parts of their body.
• Other symptoms could include inability to move their extremities.
This is generally found when severe neck trauma has occurred.
The victim may also suffer from muscle spasms, headache and dizziness.
Wait for Paramedics It is critical that you should not attempt to move the injured person.
Talk to the victim and keep him/her calm till medical help arrives.
Under no circumstances should you encourage the injured person to rise or test their limbs.
Once some first responders like emergency medical workers or firemen arrive, they will ensure that appropriate equipment is used to transport the person to a medical facility.
Non-critical Injuries If the injury is not severe and the person is able to move freely without too much effort or pain, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
Irrespective of how it may appear, it is important to treat neck injuries with utmost care.
Take the person to an emergency medical facility without delay.
Inform the attending doctor about the circumstances under which the injury occurred.
The doctor will recommend that x-ray's be taken and a thorough check-up will be carried-out.