When removing the patient from the vehicle, who is in charge of the move?

When removing the patient from the vehicle, who is in charge of the move?

• A. The patient
• B. The driver
• C. The most senior firefighter on scene
• D. Person holding c-spine

Answer: (D)

When moving a patient from a vehicle with a suspected neck or spine injury, maintaining proper spinal alignment is the top priority. The person holding c-spine leads the move because they control head and neck position and coordinate the lifting sequence with the rest of the crew, ensuring the spine stays in a neutral, aligned position throughout the transfer. They guide when to roll, slide, or reposition and are the one to stop the move if any misalignment occurs, preventing secondary injury. The patient cannot direct the move, the driver isn’t responsible for directing the lift, and the most senior firefighter may supervise, but the actual movement must be directed by the person maintaining spinal stabilization.

When moving a patient from a vehicle with a suspected neck or spine injury, maintaining proper spinal alignment is the top priority. The person holding c-spine leads the move because they control head and neck position and coordinate the lifting sequence with the rest of the crew, ensuring the spine stays in a neutral, aligned position throughout the transfer. They guide when to roll, slide, or reposition and are the one to stop the move if any misalignment occurs, preventing secondary injury. The patient cannot direct the move, the driver isn’t responsible for directing the lift, and the most senior firefighter may supervise, but the actual movement must be directed by the person maintaining spinal stabilization.