3-24. PLACING A CASUALTY ON A SPINE BOARD USING LOG ROLL
TECHNIQUE
A casualty should be checked for possible spinal injury before he is moved.
When moving a casualty with a suspected spinal fracture, extra care must be taken to
avoid causing additional injury that could result in paralysis or even death. Four or
more soldiers should be used when moving the casualty. Whenever possible, a
casualty with a suspected spinal injury should be placed on a spine board and secured
to the board. The bearers can evacuate the casualty using the handholds on the long
spine board or place the board on a litter.
a. Position the casualty on his back with his arms at his sides. Place a long
spine board or an improvised spine board near and parallel to the casualty. If time
allows, place padding on the spine board where the casualty's neck, small of the back,
knees, and ankles will rest.
b. One bearer (usually the combat medic) kneels at the casualty's head facing
the casualty, places his hands on each side of the casualty's head and jaw, and
applies slight traction to manually immobilize the head and neck (figure 3-22).
Figure 3-22. Immobilizing the casualty's head and neck.
c. Three (or more) bearers kneel at the casualty's side (the side away from the
spine board), reach across the casualty, and grasp the casualty's shoulder and waist,
hip and thigh, and knee and ankle (figure 3-23).
d. The three bearers roll the casualty's body toward them slightly as the first
bearer turns the casualty's head slightly to keep it in alignment with the spine.
MD0001
3-22