Figure 2-6. Casualty secured to a long spine board.
2-7.
IMMOBILIZING A CASUALTY USING A LONG SPINE BOARD AND
STRADDLE-SLIDE
The straddle-slide technique is used to place a casualty with a spinal injury on a
long spine board when limited space makes it impossible to use the log roll technique.
The straddle-slide technique requires five people (yourself and four assistants). You
should maintain manual traction of the casualty's head while supervising your
assistants.
a. Obtain Long Spine Board. Have the fourth assistant obtain a long spine
board.
b. Secure Wrists. If the casualty is unconscious, have an assistant place the
casualty's wrists together at his waist and tie them together loosely with a cravat. The
casualty's circulation should not be impaired.
c. Brief the Casualty. Tell the casualty that you are going to place him onto the
spine board. Tell the casualty that he should not try to move; the assistants and
yourself will move him without any effort on his part.
d. Position Yourself and Assistants. Squat so that you can maintain traction
and have your feet spread wide apart. Position the assistants as follows.
(1) Have the first assistant face you, straddle the casualty's chest, and place
his hands under the casualty's armpits.
(2) Have the second assistant face you, straddle the casualty's hips, and
place his hands on the outsides of the casualty's hips.
MD0533
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