Question

At the scene of an accident, an unconscious non-breathing male patient is found trapped in a vehicle in a sitting position. Although the victim can be reached, he cannot be immediately extricated from the vehicle. Your INITIAL action to aid the patient should be to ______.

1) Manually stabilize his head and gently remove him to a flat surface
2) Support him in an upright position and immobilize a short spine board
3) Manually stabilize his head and establish an airway
4) Apply an extrication collar and administer oxygen using a non-rebreathing mask

Answer 1

The initial action to aid an unconscious non-breathing male patient trapped in a vehicle is to manually stabilize his head and establish an airway. It is critical to ensure the airway is clear before proceeding with other interventions such as CPR, and proper training is crucial to avoid causing additional harm.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you come across an unconscious non-breathing male patient who is trapped in a vehicle in a sitting position, your initial action should be to manually stabilize his head and establish an airway. Immediate extrication from the vehicle is often not possible without specialized tools and personnel, and maintaining spinal integrity is critical. Therefore, the correct initial procedure is to provide in-situ stabilization of the neck and head to prevent further injury, while simultaneously working to secure the airway, which is the immediate life-threatening issue.

Once the airway is secured, you may proceed with other lifesaving measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. It is essential to remember that CPR performed by individuals who are not properly trained can cause further harm, such as broken ribs or damage to internal organs. It is crucial to receive proper training and certification in CPR to ensure it is performed effectively and safely.