What is the first assessment action for a victim suspected of a spinal injury?

The first assessment action for a victim suspected of a spinal injury is to check for responsiveness, breathing, and movement. This fundamental step is crucial in emergency care, as it assesses the victim's vital signs to determine their level of consciousness and whether they are breathing.

Ensuring the victim is responsive helps gauge the severity of their condition and can provide important information for rescuers. Assessing breathing is vital because if the victim is not breathing, immediate intervention is necessary, such as providing rescue breaths or CPR, depending on their condition. Evaluating movement aids in understanding the impact of the injury; significant limitations or absence of movement may indicate severe spinal damage and guides further actions to ensure the victim's safety.

Immediate movement of the victim, administering CPR, or calling for medical help all follow the initial assessment. It's critical to prioritize understanding the victim's condition before taking these actions, as improperly moving someone with a spinal injury can exacerbate the damage.