Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid (SFA) Practice Exam

Minimize movement to protect the spine when a fracture or dislocation is suspected. The approach that should not be used with an unconscious victim is carrying them because you cannot protect the spine or the airway. An unconscious person may have a spinal injury, and moving them by carrying can worsen spinal damage or block the airway. Instead, first ensure the airway and breathing are assessed and stabilized (use a jaw-thrust if a spinal injury is suspected), call for help, and immobilize the spine. If you must move the person for safety, do so with spinal precautions (for example, a log-roll with the head and neck stabilized or onto a long spine board) to keep the spine in alignment. The other scenarios can be managed in ways that limit movement and maintain spinal protection, depending on the situation.