In an emergency, why is it important to not move the body of the injured patient?

Answer 1

When handling the unconscious patient or the patient with a suspected neck or back injury.; it's imperative not to move him unless he's in imminent danger. Movement in this case can cause serious nerve damage; i.e., paralysis.


Phone for emergency medical help. If the injured person must be moved, the neck and back must be completely immobilized first. Keeping the injured person's head, neck, and back in alignment, move him as a whole unit. Use a backboard.

If the injury involves broken or fractured bones; moving the patient will further aggravate the injury. If the injury involves bleeding; rough handling may cause further internal bleeding, more damage to the soft tissues around a fracture, and many other complications

Do Not Put Pressure on the Stomach

This is most important for the person who is having difficulty breathing, has been vomiting, or has pain in the abdomen.


Cover the Patient with a Blanket

Covering an injured person has a calming effect. More importantly, it prevents heat loss. A blanket can also be used as a transport device if there is no sign of back injury. However, as a rule of thumb, it's safe to assume or suspect neck and back injury.


In cases when it's suspected that the person has suffered trauma to the spinal column DO NOT MOVE the patient. Even if he is not bleeding visibly, , you cannot assume that he is not severely injured. Moving him in this case will cause more injuries.


There are four Emergency Action Principles (EPA's) to follow in the case of an emergency. (1) Survey the scene. Is the scene safe? (2) Do a primary survey. Check the victim's Level of Consciousness, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. (3) Call EMS. Send someone to call an ambulance. (4) Do a secondary survey. Interview the victim, check vital signs, and perform a head to toe survey.

Answer 2

You can't assess the extent of the injuries and could wind up doing more harm. The other person could even sue you even if you were trying to help and be a good Samaritan. A good Samaritan is usually the first person there and is obligated by law to stay with the person until a first responder comes. In the event where a vehicle is bursting into flames or going over a cliff, etc., then I would chance it and move the person, but you must be careful about being injured or killed yourself.

Answer 3

My guess would be incase they have a severe injury that cannot be seen like neck or spinal injury. Plus the police are always involved and you could be disturbing the crime scene even if the victim or patient is only hurt. Also if the first person on the scene isn't in a medical field then they would know what they were doing.

Answer 4

Pt is intubated to ascertain that the affected person has a patent and open airway. The burn to the face might have affected his airway, so the wellbeing care expert desires to guard it. And if the affected person (for notwithstanding reason) crashes, they are going to have get admission to to an open airway to bag the pt. opposite isolation is a potential to stay away from the affected person from getting an infection through an infection. that's a similar reason the wellbeing care expert could order an antibiotic. Burn wounds burn off the floor, leaving an open spot for micro organism to get in, compromising the 1st line of protection for the immune equipment. opposite isolation reduces the prospect of the could being contaminated. yet whilst micro organism do enter the wound, the antibiotic could help the guy combat off the an infection.

Answer 5

They could have broken bones in the body, especially in the neck or in the spine. Also the possibility of the person being in shock may play a role in it too, there could be a number of reasons why. But mostly I think it has to do with the neck. If it breaks in a certain area, it could cause paralysis, or even death!!! They just want/need to be extremely cautious!!!

Answer 6

Because if there is an injury to their spine, especially the cervical spine in their neck, and you move them you could cause further damage and leave them with permanant nerve damage which can paralyze them or worse.
You should only move them unless the circumstances absolutely require it, such as in a fire, etc.

Answer 7

To prevent spinal damage. Also, if there are broken bones and you move them, the broken bone ends could cut open arteries and they could bleed out in a matter of seconds.

Answer 8

They might have spinal damage. If you move them you could cause paralysis or death by severing the spinal chord. They have to be put on a board to hold everything in place.

Answer 9

unless there life in in immediate danger from fire flood or explosion - leave them where they are...
moving a body with injuries can make the injuries worse.

the only exception to this is to put an unconscious person into the recovery position to maintain an open airway..

Answer 10

Also, if a backboard is not available, you can do this thing called the clothes drag. You grab the shoulders of a person's clothes and drag them. But you have to be sure to support their head with your arms, and it keeps the spine aligned.