(3) Have the third assistant face you, straddle the casualty's lower legs, and
place his hands on the outside of the casualty's lower legs.
(4) Have the fourth assistant (the assistant with the spine board) stand
behind you and face your back. Have him position the spine board so it can be slipped
beneath the casualty.
e. Lift Casualty. Upon your command, have the first three assistants lift the
casualty slightly in unison. As they lift the casualty, lift his head slightly to keep it in
alignment with the spine.
f. Slide Board. Have the fourth assistant slide the long spine board between
your feet and the feet of the other three assistants. The board should be positioned so
the casualty will be in the middle of the board when he is lowered.
g. Lower Casualty. Have the first three assistants slowly lower the casualty in
unison so the casualty is in the middle of the board. As they lower the casualty, lower
his head to keep it in alignment with his spine.
h. Place Padding Beneath the Casualty. Next, have the assistants slip
padding beneath the natural curves at the small (arch) of the casualty's back, his knees,
his ankles, and his neck.
i. Secure Casualty to Board. Finally, have the assistants secure the
casualty's head, chest, hips, thighs, and legs to the long spine board using straps,
cravats, and/or strips of cloth while you maintain the cervical traction.
2-8.
IMMOBILIZING A CASUALTY'S SPINE WITH CASUALTY SITTING UP
If the casualty was riding in a vehicle when it was involved in an accident, he may
be in a sitting position. After making sure the casualty is breathing and all severe
bleeding has been controlled, immobilize the casualty's spine by applying a cervical
collar and a short spine board to the casualty before removing him from the vehicle.
The following procedures assume the casualty is in a sitting position and you have at
least one other person to assist you by applying a cervical collar and short spine board
while you apply traction. Direct the assistant as needed.
a. Apply Manual Traction. Immobilize the casualty's head and neck by
applying gentle manual traction.
(1)
Position yourself behind the casualty and face the casualty.
(2) Place your hands on both sides of the casualty's head with your palms
over the casualty's ears and your fingers supporting the casualty's mandible (jaw) as
shown in figure 2-7.
MD0533
2-13
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