When assisting someone with a spinal injury, what is crucial to ensure?

Ensuring that the person's airway is open is crucial when assisting someone with a spinal injury for several reasons. A spinal injury can potentially affect the person's ability to breathe or maintain a clear airway due to compromised muscle control or swelling. If the airway is blocked or obstructed, it can lead to inadequate oxygen supply, which is life-threatening.

In the context of a spinal injury, a person might not be able to reposition themselves or may have impaired systemic reactions. Therefore, assessing and maintaining the airway is the top priority, even before addressing comfort, securing the scene, or calling for help. While those considerations are important, they take a backseat to the immediate need for ensuring that the individual can breathe adequately. This focus on airway management aligns with the principles of trauma care, where assessing life-threatening conditions takes precedence.