When approaching a patient lying supine with obvious deformities after a motorcycle accident, what is the first action to take?

Taking and maintaining manual in-line spinal stabilization is a critical first action when approaching a patient who is supine with obvious deformities, especially after a mechanism of injury such as a motorcycle accident. The concern in such scenarios includes potential spinal injuries. By implementing manual in-line stabilization, you minimize any movement of the cervical spine, thereby reducing the risk of causing further injury during the assessment or treatment of the patient.

In the context of trauma, maintaining spinal alignment is crucial, as movement can exacerbate any existing injuries. This method also prepares you to perform further assessments or interventions safely, as it keeps the head and cervical spine in a neutral position while others assist, for instance, when checking responsiveness or assessing vital signs.

When dealing with severely injured patients, especially those with substantial trauma, comprehensive monitoring of airway and breathing is also vital. However, ensuring spinal stabilization takes precedence to avoid worsening their condition. Following this action, you can then assess responsiveness and breathing while continuing to maintain spinal position, but the immediate focus is on stabilization to prevent additional harm.