Moving an Injured Person

The essentials

This topic teaches how to assess when and how an injured person may be moved without causing additional harm. Where possible, safe positioning and waiting for emergency services take priority, and movement is carried out only after considering immediate danger and the nature of the injury.

What to remember

Moving an injured person is not an end in itself: incorrect movement may worsen spinal, head or limb injuries. If there is no fire, explosion, immediate collision risk from traffic or another urgent threat, it is safer not to move a seriously injured person and to wait for professionals. If movement is necessary, try to keep the head, neck and body aligned and use assistance.

Listen to the explanation

Educational material; not a substitute for the current official rules.

Try questions on this topic

A small practice set from this subtopic. The full question bank and saved progress are available in your account.

You hear a car engine from your neighbor's garage and upon opening the door you see your neighbor lying on the ground. What should you do first?
  1. Open the doors wide and turn off the engine; if possible, move the victim away from the scene.
  2. Thoroughly examine the victim’s body for injuries.
  3. Place the victim in the recovery position.
  4. Help the victim assume a semi-sitting position.

The correct answer: Open the doors wide and turn off the engine; if possible, move the victim away from the scene.

The correct action is: Open the doors wide and turn off the engine; if possible, move the victim away from the scene. In first aid, the order of actions matters and only the steps required for the stated condition should be performed.

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