The neck can be injured by direct blow, a heavy fall on your

head, back or base of the spine or by sudden jolting of the head.

The injury maybe associated with painful muscle spasm which adds

to the pain. If it is severe or it follows a fall or a vehicle accident,

urgent ambulance transport and prompt medical care are needed.

The victim may complain of pain, loss of sensation of the limbs,

stiff neck and headache. If these happen, avoid moving the

conscious victim in case there is a fracture of the spine. Advice

the victim to rest for a while to help ease the muscle. If in any

case that the victim is unconscious, gently turn him onto his side

and clear and open the airway. Do not use pillows or padding to

support his head as it will cause further injury. Ask the help of

other people to call for an ambulance.

Check the conscious victim for any obvious injuries and give

appropriate treatment. Cover the victim lightly to maintain body

temperature but do not move any parts of the body. Check the victim's

level of consciousness every few minutes, make regular observations of

the breathing of the pulse rates and should record any changes.