What is the next step in the extrication process after disentanglement?

The next step in the extrication process after disentanglement is patient packaging and removal. Once a patient has been disentangled from the wreckage, it is critical to focus on safely packaging the patient for transport. This involves securing the patient in a way that protects them from further injury, especially if they have sustained spinal or other serious injuries. Proper packaging is essential to provide support or immobilization and to prepare the patient for the next phase of care, which is transport to a medical facility.

Patient packaging can include the use of stretchers or other immobilization devices, as well as ensuring that vital signs are monitored and that any life-saving interventions are applied. This step is vital not only for the patient's current condition but also for providing emergency medical personnel with the necessary information upon arrival at the hospital.

In contrast, other options focus on stages that occur after the patient has been removed from the scene, such as termination and post-incident analysis or transporting patients to appropriate facilities. These actions are important but occur later in the rescue sequence, following patient packaging. Initiating extrication operations on another vehicle may also be necessary in a multi-vehicle accident scenario but does not apply as the immediate next step after disentanglement of a patient. Thus, selecting