What is crucial when packaging a non-ambulatory patient for transport?

When packaging a non-ambulatory patient for transport, environmental protection is crucial because it ensures the patient is shielded from various potential hazards during the transfer process. This can include protection from weather elements, harmful substances, or unsafe conditions that might further injure the patient or complicate their medical condition.

Environmental protection also encompasses ensuring that the area where the patient will be transported is safe and that the appropriate measures are taken to mitigate risks like contamination or exposure to adverse conditions. Focusing on environmental protection contributes significantly to maintaining the patient's safety and well-being throughout the transport.

Maintaining proper documentation, selecting the right medical personnel, and using safety gear are all important aspects of patient care and transport, but they do not focus as directly on the immediate environmental conditions that might impact the patient's health during the transfer. Environmental safety must be prioritized to effectively protect the patient until they reach a complete safe environment, such as a medical facility.