5-24. LONG SPINE BOARD

The goal is to secure the patient to a long spine board as soon as possible so that he can be evacuated without further injury.

a. Indications for Use. Indications that a patient should be secured to a long spine board include:

(1) Suspected spinal injury.

(2) Patient who requires (or may require) a firm surface for the performance of CPR; for example, a patient who is both pulseless and potentially unstable.

b. Procedure. Procedure for securing a patient on a long spine board varies according to the position of the patient. The patient may be in a supine position, a recumbent position, or a sitting position. Follow this procedure for patients in the supine position at ground level:

(1) Position the spine board parallel to the patient.

(2) Rescuers position themselves along the side of the patient, opposite the spine board.

(a) If there are four rescuers available, rescuer #1 supports the patient's head. Rescuer #2 supports the patient's shoulders. Rescuer #3 supports the patient's pelvis, and rescuer #4 supports the patient's legs.

(b) If there are three rescuers, rescuer #1 supports the patient's head. Rescuer #2 supports the patient's shoulders. Rescuer #3 supports the patient's legs.

(3) Logroll the patient onto the spine board in this manner:

(a) Rescuers alongside the patient gently roll him toward them onto his side. Rescuer #1 supports the patient's head during the move. Rescuers roll the patient's body as a unit.

(b) One of the rescuers alongside the patient pulls the spine board into position against the patient.

(c) Again, rolling the patient's body as a unit, the rescuers roll the patient onto the spine board. Rescuer #1 still supports the patient's head as part of the body unit during the move.

(4) Pad the patient's head.

(5) Secure the patient's trunk and lower extremities with three straps positioned at the patient's chest, pelvis, and the knees.

(6) Immobilize the patient's head with a forehead strap.