Spinal precautions: when should you move a casualty?

• A. Never move the casualty.
• B. Move only if you can do so without any spinal movement.
• C. Always move quickly to the vehicle.
• D. Move only when necessary to maintain airway or evacuation, and do so with proper technique.

Answer: (D)

In spinal precautions, the priority is to avoid causing further injury to the spinal cord by minimizing movement. You should move a casualty only when there’s a real need, such as to maintain an open airway or to evacuate them from a dangerous area. If you must move, do so with careful technique to preserve spinal alignment: keep the head, neck, and torso in a straight line, support the head with inline stabilization, roll or transfer the person as a unit using a controlled method (like a log-roll with several rescuers), and immobilize them on a rigid surface (with a neck collar if available). Move slowly and deliberately, avoiding twisting, bending, or bending the spine. This approach protects the spine while ensuring the casualty can be cared for or moved to safety.