A child's car seat was damaged during a motor vehicle accident. The child complains of neck and back pain. You should

• A. Inspect the seat and continue riding
• B. Remove the child from the seat and immobilize them
• C. Reinstall the seat and retry
• D. Wait for EMS advice

Answer: (B)

When there’s potential spinal injury after a crash, the priority is to minimize movement of the head, neck, and spine. A damaged car seat cannot be trusted to protect or immobilize the spine, and neck/back pain is a red flag for possible injury. Because of that, the safest course is to remove the child from the damaged seat and immobilize the spine—keep the head and neck aligned with the spine, support them to prevent movement, and seek EMS or professional medical care as soon as possible. This prevents further injury that could happen if the child stayed in a compromised seat or moved improperly.