IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A

FRACTURED SPINE

 Pain or tenderness of the neck or back.

 Cut or bruise on the neck or back.
 Inability to move part of the body (paralysis),
especially the legs.
 Lack of feeling in a body part.
– Touch the casualty's arms and legs and ask if he feels your
hand.
 Loss of bladder and/or bowel control.
 Weak respiration.
 Head or back in an unusual position.
 MOVE A CASUALTY WITH A SUSPECTED
SPINAL INJURY, IF NECESSARY

 Do not move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury

unless it is necessary to save his life, such as moving
the casualty from a burning building or away from
enemy fire or positioning a nonbreathing casualty to
perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
 Use a four-man arms carry to move the casualty to a
place of safety.
 One soldier (usually the combat lifesaver) kneels at
the casualty's head and places his hands on both
sides of the casualty's head. This bearer keeps
movement of the casualty's head and neck to a
minimum when the casualty is moved.
 MOVE A CASUALTY WITH A SUSPECTED
SPINAL INJURY, IF NECESSARY

 The second soldier kneels at the casualty's chest and

slips his arms under the casualty's shoulders and
waist.
 The third soldier kneels next to the second soldier
and slips his arms under the soldier's hips and thighs.
 The fourth soldier kneels next to the third soldier and
slips his arms under the soldier's legs (or knees) and
ankles.
 MOVE A CASUALTY WITH A SUSPECTED
SPINAL INJURY, IF NECESSARY

 On the command, "Lift," from the leader, all soldiers

rise to their knees in unison, keeping the casualty's
head and spine in straight alignment.
– If a spine board is available or one can be improvised from a
door or board, the casualty should be lowered onto the spine
board and secured to the spine board. The casualty should
then be lifted and moved to a safe location.
 On the command, "Turn," from the leader, the
soldiers gently turn the casualty toward their chests
as the leader gently turns the casualty's head to
maintain spinal alignment.
 MOVE A CASUALTY WITH A SUSPECTED
SPINAL INJURY, IF NECESSARY

 On the command, "Rise," from the leader, the

soldiers stand in unison, maintaining alignment of the
head and spine. The casualty is then carried out of
danger.
 When a safe location is reached, the soldiers gently
lower the casualty onto a flat surface by reversing the
lifting procedures and fully immobilize the casualty as
described in the following learning event.
 IMMOBILIZE THE CASUALTY'S SPINE

 Do not attempt to straighten the casualty's neck or

back if it is in an abnormal position.
 Tell the casualty to keep still and avoid unnecessary
movement.
 Send someone to get medical help.
 If the casualty is lying on his stomach, keep him from
moving until medical help arrives.
 If the casualty is lying on his back, use padding to
help immobilize his back, neck, and head as
described below.
 IMMOBILIZE THE CASUALTY'S SPINE

 Roll or fold a blanket or similar padding to conform

with the normal shape of the arch of the back.
Carefully slide the padding under the arch of his
back.
 Slide a roll of cloth under the casualty's neck to help
support and immobilize his neck.
 Place padded rocks, small padded logs, or filled
boots on each side of the casualty's head to keep it
from moving. To use boots:
 IMMOBILIZE THE CASUALTY'S SPINE

– Remove the casualty's boots. Do not remove the casualty's

boots if in a chemical environment.
– Fill each boot almost to the top with sand or small rocks.
– Place material (strip of clothing, sock, etc.) on top of the
sand or rocks to keep the sand or rocks from falling out.
– Tie the top of each boot to keep the material from coming
out.
– Place the boots around the casualty's head so that the head
will not turn.
 IMMOBILIZE A SUSPECTED
SPINAL INJURY

CLOSING

A casualty with a suspected neck or spinal fracture

should be moved by medical personnel whenever
possible. If you must move the casualty to save his
life, keep the movement of his back and neck to a
minimum. This lesson is tested on the written
examination.