Moving a victim with a back or neck injury should be left to professionals whenever possible. If a victim MUST be pulled to safety, what is the correct method?

When dealing with a victim who may have a back or neck injury, prioritizing their safety and minimizing further injury is crucial. The correct method of moving such a victim, if necessary, is to move them lengthwise, headfirst, while ensuring that you support their head and neck throughout the process. This approach helps maintain the alignment of the spine, reducing the risk of exacerbating any potential injuries to the vertebrae or surrounding tissue.

Supporting the head and neck prevents any unwanted twisting or flexing of the spine, which could result in additional damage. This technique is often referred to as a "spinal drag" and is recommended by emergency response protocols to protect the integrity of the spinal column while moving the person to safety.

While rolling the victim onto their side or dragging them by the feet may seem like viable options, they could easily cause additional harm by misaligning the spine or placing excessive strain on the injured area. Lifting the victim using their arms also poses significant risks, as it does not effectively support the head and neck and may cause further injury to the spine. Thus, properly supporting the head and neck while moving the person lengthwise is the safest approach when professional assistance is not immediately available.