What steps should you take to safely evac a casualty with a suspected spinal injury on a litter?

What steps should you take to safely evac a casualty with a suspected spinal injury on a litter?

• A. Stabilize the head/neck, maintain inline alignment during lifting, secure the casualty on the litter, and minimize movement
• B. Leave head/neck unrestrained to prevent stiffness
• C. Move quickly without alignment
• D. Remove backboard before lifting

Answer: (A)

When a casualty is suspected of a spinal injury and must be evacuated on a litter, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine and to keep it aligned throughout the transfer. Begin with stabilizing the head and neck in line with the spine, using manual support or a cervical collar if available. Maintain a straight, neutral spine during lifting and transferring, and secure the casualty firmly to the litter with straps or ties so the body cannot shift. As you move, minimize any movement that could twist or compress the spine. This approach reduces the risk of causing a secondary spinal cord injury during transport. Leaving the head and neck unrestrained allows dangerous motion, which can worsen the injury. Moving quickly without maintaining alignment risks angular or axial loading. Removing a backboard before lifting removes essential immobilization, increasing the chance of harmful movement during the evacuation.

When a casualty is suspected of a spinal injury and must be evacuated on a litter, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine and to keep it aligned throughout the transfer. Begin with stabilizing the head and neck in line with the spine, using manual support or a cervical collar if available. Maintain a straight, neutral spine during lifting and transferring, and secure the casualty firmly to the litter with straps or ties so the body cannot shift. As you move, minimize any movement that could twist or compress the spine. This approach reduces the risk of causing a secondary spinal cord injury during transport.

Leaving the head and neck unrestrained allows dangerous motion, which can worsen the injury. Moving quickly without maintaining alignment risks angular or axial loading. Removing a backboard before lifting removes essential immobilization, increasing the chance of harmful movement during the evacuation.