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PhrasesCar AccidentNon muovere il ferito!
A2urgent

Non muovere il ferito!

Don't move the injured person!

Pronunciation

'Muovere' = MWOH-veh-reh. The 'uo' is a single diphthong sound — not two separate vowels.

When to use it

Say this urgently to bystanders who may instinctively try to move an accident victim. Moving someone with a spinal injury can cause permanent paralysis.

What it means

Unless there is immediate danger of fire or further collision, accident victims should not be moved until paramedics arrive. This is standard Italian first aid protocol and moving a victim without training can cause catastrophic spinal damage.

Variations

Lascialo/a dov'è, potrebbe avere una lesione spinale.

Leave him/her where they are, they might have a spinal injury.

Gives the reason — more persuasive for reluctant bystanders.

Non togliere il casco!

Don't remove the helmet!

Critically important for motorcyclists — removing a helmet incorrectly can cause paralysis.

Aspettate i paramedici prima di spostare chiunque.

Wait for the paramedics before moving anyone.

Authoritative and calming — redirects bystanders to wait for professionals.

Mini Dialogue

— Dobbiamo tirarlo fuori dalla macchina! — No, non muovere il ferito! Potrebbe avere la colonna vertebrale lesionata. — Ma e se prende fuoco la macchina? — Solo in quel caso spostiamolo. Altrimenti aspettiamo il 118.

— We need to pull him out of the car! — No, don't move the injured person! He might have a spinal injury. — But what if the car catches fire? — Only in that case do we move him. Otherwise we wait for 118.

Cultural Note

Italian first aid guidelines (following ILCOR/ERC protocols) specify that an unconscious accident victim should only be moved if there is an immediate life threat such as fire or water. Otherwise, stabilise and wait for paramedics.