d. Take the blanket over the bed of the litter to the far pole; then fold the
blanket at the far pole and bring the remainder back over the litter. Let the excess
material overhang the near pole (figure 3-15 B). Four thickness of blanket now cover
the litter bed (two from the first blanket and two from the second blanket), one
thickness is beyond the far pole (from the first blanket), and one thickness is beyond
the near pole (from the second blanket).
e. Place the casualty on the litter.
f. Fold the third blanket once lengthwise and place it on the casualty (figure
3-15 C). The third blanket provides two layers of thickness over the casualty.
g. Fold the overhanging edges of the first and second blankets over the casualty
(figure 3-15 D) and secure them in place with safety pins or litter straps. The casualty
now has four thickness of blanket over him: two from the third blanket, one from the
first blanket, and one from the second blanket.
Section III. PLACING A CASUALTY ON A LITTER
3-19. EVACUATING A CASUALTY BY LITTER
Always check the casualty for possible spinal injuries (fractured spine, back, or
neck or severe head trauma) before placing the casualty onto a litter. If you suspect a
spinal injury, secure the casualty to a spine board (paragraph 3-25) before transporting
the casualty. The spine board can serve as a litter, or it can be placed on a litter. Use
care when placing any casualty onto the litter to avoid causing additional injury to the
casualty. If four bearers are available, use the method presented in paragraph 3-20 to
place a casualty onto a litter. If only three bearers are available, use the method
presented in paragraph 3-21. If only two bearers are available, use a modified two-
man arms carry (paragraph 3-22), a modified two-man fore-and-aft carry (paragraph
3-23), or the two-hand seat carry (paragraph 2-21) to place the casualty onto the litter.
Some general rules are given in the following paragraphs.
a. Perform Necessary Care Before Transporting. Make sure the casualty is
breathing properly, open wounds have been dressed and bandaged, and fractures
have been splinted before transporting the casualty (unless the casualty is being
moved away from a life-threatening danger).
b. Walk Around the Casualty. Walk around the casualty rather than stepping
over him. If you step over the casualty, he may flinch or tighten his muscles and
aggravate his injuries. In addition, mud or other debris may fall from your boots into
his eyes or wound.
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