Under what circumstance might you need to move a person with a head, neck, or spinal injury?

Moving a person with a head, neck, or spinal injury is a significant risk and should only be done if absolutely necessary. One of the most critical circumstances that warrants moving such an individual is when the airway is at risk. This situation can arise if the person is unable to maintain their own airway due to reduced responsiveness, vomiting, or if they have significant facial injuries that obstruct their airway.

When a head, neck, or spinal injury is present, there is a danger of exacerbating any potential damage during movement. However, if the airway is compromised and immediate action is required to ensure the person's breathing or to prevent choking, the priority shifts to establishing a clear airway. In such cases, moving the person may be the only option to prevent suffocation, which is a life-threatening emergency.

It is essential to keep in mind that any movement should be done very carefully, ideally with the help of trained personnel, and with the methodology that minimizes spinal movement as much as possible. The presence of a safe scene, or whether the person is responsive or the EMS response situation, does not validate the necessity to move an individual if the airway is clear and risks can be managed without movement.