Treating Fractures in the Field
Lesson 2: Spinal
Injuries
Section II: Immobilizing a Suspected Spinal Injury
2-11
2-11. TURNING A CASUALTY ONTO HIS BACK
The preceding paragraphs have dealt with a casualty in a supine or sitting position. If the casualty is lying on his abdomen, leave him in this position while you perform your survey of the casualty.
a. To turn the casualty onto his back, obtain the assistance of three or more people, if possible. The procedure for turning a casualty with a possible spinal injury onto his back is similar to those used for the log roll. Keep the casualty's head, neck, and back in alignment during the turn.
(1) Position yourself at the casualty's head and apply gentle manual traction to his head.
(2) Have the assistants kneel on the same side of the casualty at the casualty's chest, hips, and lower legs.
(3) Have the assistants reach across the casualty and secure holds on the casualty's far side at his shoulder, waist, hip, thigh, knee, and ankle.
(4) Upon your command, have the assistants gently roll the casualty onto his back. All members must work in unison and keep the casualty's spine in alignment. As the assistants turn the casualty, turn his head so his face is up when the turning is completed.
b. Do not attempt to turn the casualty by yourself unless you must risk injury to the casualty in order to save his life (administer rescue breathing to a nonbreathing casualty, remove the casualty from a burning building, and so forth). If you must turn the casualty and no other help is available, keep the casualty's head, neck, and back in alignment as much as possible when turning the casualty.
