Treating Fractures in the Field
Lesson 2: Spinal
Injuries
Section I: General
2-2
2-2. SURVEYING THE SCENE
When you arrive upon the scene, the first thing you should do is to perform a general survey. This information will help you to determine if a spinal injury is probable. A spinal injury should automatically be suspected if the casualty fell from a height, was involved in a vehicle accident or cave-in, or had a heavy object fall across his body.
a. Always assume that a spinal injury is present until your survey of the casualty indicates otherwise.
b. If other soldiers are present, ask them how the casualty was injured.
c. Do not move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unless it is necessary to move him to a place of safety (his life is in immediate danger due to a burning vehicle, and so forth) or it is necessary to position him for rescue breathing (the casualty has inadequate breathing). Moving a casualty with a fractured spine can result in permanent paralysis or death.
(1) If the casualty must be moved to safety, keep the head and back in alignment while moving him.
(2) If the casualty must be in position for rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose resuscitation), open the casualty's airway using the jaw-thrust method. The jaw-thrust reduces movement and prevents hyperextension of the neck. Procedures for performing the jaw-thrust and other methods for restoring breathing are contained in Subcourse MD0532, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
