Prevention

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SPINAL CORD INJURY?
THERE IS NO CURE FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY - THERE IS PREVENTION
HOW TO HELP - RESCUE TECHNIQUES
POSSIBLE SPINAL INJURY SHOULD BE ASSUMED

Additional Resources on SCI Prevention

1. Many spinal cord injuries can be prevented by using safe practices at work and at play. 

2. Follow correct safety procedures and use protective equipment in the workplace.

3. Regular exercise, good posture and lifting heavy objects in the right way (letting your leg muscles do most of the work) all help prevent spinal injuries. 

4. In recreation, warm up thoroughly and use appropriate techniques and equipment when playing sports.

5. Check the depth of water before diving in, and examine the general area for any obstacles before diving and skiing. 

6. When on the roads, practice defensive driving and always wear a seatbelt.  Never drink alcohol or take drugs and drive and don't travel in a vehicle that is being driven by a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

7. Remember to wear an approved helmet when bike riding, skateboarding, roller-blading and motorbike or trailbike riding.

8. Don't take unnecessary risks when horse riding, snow or water skiing, rock climbing, hang-gliding or trampolining.

THERE IS NO CURE FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY  THERE IS PREVENTION...

A sixteen year old was the front seat passenger with her young, inexperienced boyfriend John at the wheel. They were on their way home from a friend's party where John had had a few drinks. Just a few streets from home, he lost control of the car coming round a corner and skidded into a power pole.  Alice's head was whipped back and forth, damaging her spinal cord and leaving her a quadriplegic. She copes, but would give anything not to have accepted that lift.

Another Young Man was just twenty years old when he was driving to work one wet, winters day. Ten minutes late, he was driving faster than he knew he should have been on the slippery roads, when he skidded out of control. Without a seatbelt, Rupert was thrown through the windscreen and landed heavily on his back. He spent the next seven months in hospital adjusting to life as a paraplegic, but is certain that had he been wearing a seatbelt, he would be walking today.

Another thirteen-year-old was having fun with friends at the lake on his Uncle's farm.  After walking along the banks from their usual swimming spot, he came across a small mound of rocks about a metre off the ground. Ready for another swim, Mark climbed up and dived into the water landing on some hidden rocks. He was dragged from the water and awoke in the Austin Hospital Spinal Unit to the shattering news that he was a quadriplegic.

HOW TO HELP - RESCUE TECHNIQUES

In all first aid care, the carer must take the following steps immediately:

If there is a threat to the patient's life, treat the dangers, Airway, Breathing and Circulation first.

DANGER: If present, remove the danger or remove the patient from the dangerous environment.

RESPONSE: Check the patient's conscious state.

AIRWAY:   Ensure the patient's airway is clear - remove vomit, blood, dentures, etc.

BREATHING: Ensure the patient is breathing.

CIRCULATION: Ensure that the patient's heart is beating and if there is major external bleeding, control the bleeding by direct pressure.

REMEMBER:  Following an accident, prevent secondary spinal injury by NOT MOVING THE PATIENT if spinal injuries are suspected UNLESS there is a life threatening reason to do so (see above).  Life threat takes precedence over possible spinal injuries.

• DO NOT MOVE THE PATIENT
• ADVISE OTHERS NOT TO MOVE THE PATIENT
• SEND SOMEONE TO CALL 911 AND ASK FOR AN AMBULANCE TO ATTEND
• REASSURE THE PATIENT
• TRY AND FIND OUT THE PATIENTS NAME AND ADDRESS
• WAIT WITH THE PATIENT FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE AMBULANCE OFFICERS

It is more common for spinal injuries to occur without life threat.

• Any car accident at greater than 45mph.
• Any pedestrian hit by a car at greater than 18mph.
• Any car accident where there is a car rollover or where a passenger has been thrown from the vehicle.
• Any significant fall, including falls in the elderly.
• Any shallow water diving or surfing accident.
• Following helmet damage from a motorcycle accident.
• Any unconscious trauma patient or significant neck or head injury.
• Any penetrating injuries e.g. Gunshot wound to the spinal region.
• Any trauma to the neck and back if associated with past spinal disease.

Any physical signs and symptoms associated with the spine e.g. the position the patient was found in, pain or tenderness around the spinal area.

Resource and Support Organizations

Injury Prevention Web
Lifesaving Resources
Make Your Summer Safe: Tips for the Pool
Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention
Center for Injury Sciences

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
National Directory of SCI Prevention Programs
Prevent Injuries America!
Prevention of Spinal Cord Injuries that Occur in Swimming Pools
Safe Pools Can Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries
SafeUSA
Think First
 

Other Resources

Diving Choices
By: Gracie Schwartzman, 1992
Distributor: Shepherd Spinal Center, PR Dept.
2020 Peachtree Road, NW., Atlanta, GA 30309
404-355-9772

This video kit addresses the hazards of diving from the point of view of three persons with spinal cord injury. Discusses diving safety and spinal cord injury. Designed to be shown primarily to schools, civic groups and businesses. Kit includes door knob hangers, rulers, pamphlets, and stickers at no charge up to 25. (6 minutes)

Don't Worry, It Won't Happen to Me, 1995
Producer/Distributor: Roger Butterbaugh, PhD
Dept of Psychology
Frazier Rehabilitation Center
220 Abraham Flexner Way, Louisville, KY 40202-1887
502-582-7484

This 13 minute video was produced by high school students who interviewed peers with SCI. Those interviewed candidly discuss how life, relationships, and dating have changed following SCI. The accompanying study guide provides information on how to prevent spinal cord injury.  Cost: $39.95

Project Wipeout, 1994
Available from: Hoag Hospital, Att: Kris O'neal (Oncology)
301 Newport Blvd., Box 4, Newport Beach, CA 92658-8912
714-760-5528

This video is of one young man who becomes spinal cord injured after diving head first into shallow water at the beach. Portrayed in great detail by actors, his story covers the injury, rescue operation and medical procedures, acute care and rehabilitation. Very realistic portrayal of the events following injury, as well as the emotions experienced by both the victim and his family. Surfing and diving safety is also addressed. (30 minutes)


Go Off the Deep End for Pool Safety
A "Tip Sheet" [in PDF Format] on preventing spinal cord injuries that result from pool accidents. They point out the costly consequences of SCI and tips for pool owners for keeping their pool safe. Developed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dept. of P M & R and sponsored by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the UAB Health System. To request a free copy call 205-934-3283 or Email: rtc@sun.rehabm.uab.edu