What is the procedure for rapid extrication with immobilization in a vehicle crash rescue?

• A. Scene safety, stabilize the patient, access, immobilize the spine, and remove with minimal movement.
• B. Immediately remove the patient without assessing safety.
• C. Stabilize the patient, then extricate without immobilization.
• D. Request airlift before any extrication.

Answer: (A)

Protecting the spine during rapid vehicle extrication is the key idea. The safest and most effective approach starts with scene safety to ensure rescuers and the patient aren’t put at risk. Then you stabilize the patient to prevent movement and assess for life-threatening injuries. Access to the patient is established, and the spine is immobilized—often with a cervical collar and a backboard or other rigid immobilization device—before ever moving them. The removal is done with as little movement as possible to maintain spinal alignment and minimize the chance of causing a new or worsened spinal injury.

This approach is preferable because it directly protects the patient’s spinal cord while still allowing for prompt access and treatment. Skipping safety or immobilization, or delaying immobilization in favor of rapid removal or external factors, increases the risk of secondary injury.