When a patient has been stabbed in the neck, what is the first priority for the medic?

In cases of neck trauma, particularly with a stab wound, the highest priority for the medic is to protect the airway. This is crucial because injuries to the neck can lead to significant swelling, hematoma formation, or direct damage to the structures surrounding the airway, which can compromise or obstruct breathing. Ensuring a patent airway is essential for patient survival, especially if the injury is severe.

Controlling bleeding is also important but comes secondary to ensuring that the patient can breathe. If the airway is obstructed, even if bleeding is controlled, the patient may still be at risk of suffocation. Administering IV fluids is typically a later step in managing shock or hypotension, and applying a dressing may be necessary to address bleeding but does not take precedence over airway management. Thus, protecting the airway is absolutely vital in ensuring the immediate survival and stabilization of the patient after a neck stab wound.