Children restrained in a booster seat (without a back) should:

Children restrained in a booster seat (without a back) should:

• A. be extricated and immobilized following standard spinal immobilization procedures
• B. remain in car seat and be transported without immobilization
• C. be immobilized only if signs of distress
• D. not be immobilized under any circumstances

Answer: (A)

Protecting the spine when there’s potential injury is the priority, especially in kids. A booster seat without a back doesn’t provide rigid support for the head or spine, so during removal from the vehicle and during transport the spine can move. Therefore, the safest approach is to extricate the child and immobilize them using standard spinal immobilization procedures—stabilize the head and neck, apply a cervical collar if indicated, and secure them to a long spine board with proper straps to maintain alignment. This minimizes movement and protects the spine during transport, even if the child seems okay at first. Leaving the child in the car seat without immobilization increases the risk of secondary spinal injury. Waiting for distress signs to appear isn’t reliable, and not immobilizing at all is unsafe.

Protecting the spine when there’s potential injury is the priority, especially in kids. A booster seat without a back doesn’t provide rigid support for the head or spine, so during removal from the vehicle and during transport the spine can move. Therefore, the safest approach is to extricate the child and immobilize them using standard spinal immobilization procedures—stabilize the head and neck, apply a cervical collar if indicated, and secure them to a long spine board with proper straps to maintain alignment. This minimizes movement and protects the spine during transport, even if the child seems okay at first.

Leaving the child in the car seat without immobilization increases the risk of secondary spinal injury. Waiting for distress signs to appear isn’t reliable, and not immobilizing at all is unsafe.