What type of care should be provided to someone with a possible spinal injury?

Providing care to someone with a possible spinal injury is critical for their safety and well-being. The correct approach is to stabilize the head and neck until professional help arrives. This is crucial because any movement of the head or neck can exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to paralysis or further damage to the spinal cord.

By keeping the head and neck stable, first responders can minimize the risk of aggravating the injury while waiting for emergency medical services. This stabilization can involve supporting the person's head with your hands or having someone else do so if available. It is vital to remain calm and reassure the person that help is on the way, which also helps prevent additional movement on their part.

Other options would not provide the necessary care and could lead to further complications. Encouraging movement or attempting to move someone to a more comfortable position can increase the risk of injury. Performing CPR should only be initiated in cases where the person is unresponsive and not breathing, and only after assessing the risk of a spinal injury. These actions should be handled with extreme caution and awareness of the situation.