PREPARING THE CASUALTY FOR TRANSPORTING

Before transporting the casualty, ensure that the patient is stable enough to be moved. First, make sure that all hemorrhaging is under control and wounds have been dressed. Second, make sure that all fractures have been splinted and the victim has been treated for shock. If morphine or an IV was administered, see that the casualty has been marked and a U.S. Field Medical Card filled out. The casualty's vital signs should be stable so there will be no problems in route.

TRANSPORTING THE INJURED

It is a basic principle that an injured person must be given essential treatment before being moved. However, it is obviously impossible to treat injuries while the casualty is in a position of immediate danger.

If the casualty is drowning, or life is endangered by fire, steam, electricity, poisonous or explosive gases, live fire in combat situations, or other hazards, rescue the person before giving emergency medical treatment.

The life of an injured person may well depend upon the manner in which he is transported. Rescue operations must be accomplished quickly, but unnecessary haste is both futile and dangerous. After rescue, and after essential emergency treatment has been given, further transportation must be accomplished in a manner that will not aggravate the casualty's injuries.

Next, we will explain the emergency methods of moving injured persons to safety, and the procedures for transporting them after emergency medical treatment has been rendered.

Moving the Casualty to Safety

In an emergency, you may have to hoist, carry, or drag an injured person away from a position of danger. In some instances, you will be able to do this using a Neil Robertson stretcher, an Army litter, or by using an improvised stretcher; in other cases you will have to move the casualty by using the fireman's carry, the tied-hands crawl, the blanket drag, the pack-strap carry, the chair carry, or some type of arm carry. Sometimes, it is necessary to move the patient with all possible speed, without regard to the severity of the injuries.

The military uses a number of standard stretchers. The following discussion will familiarize you with the most common types. Keep in mind these general rules when using a stretcher:

1. Use standard stretchers when available, but be ready to use safe alternatives.

2. When possible, bring the stretcher to the casualty.

3. Always fasten the casualty securely to the stretcher.

4. Always move the casualty FEET FIRST so the rear bearer can watch for signs of breathing difficulty.

NEIL ROBERTSON STRETCHER.\The Neil Robertson stretcher (fig. 13-19) is especially designed for removing an injured person from engine room spaces, holes, and other compartments where access hatches or ladders are too small to permit the use of a regular stretcher. This stretcher is extremely valuable aboard ship. It is made of semirigid canvas, which has wooden slats sewn inside the canvas and canvas straps

Figure 13-19.\Neil Robertson stretcher.

to secure the casualty in the stretcher. When firmly wrapped around the casualty in mummy fashion, it gives sufficient support so that the casualty may be lifted vertically. A guideline is tied to the casualty's ankles to keep them from swaying against bulkheads and hatchways while being lifted. If a Neil Robertson stretcher is not available, a piece of heavy canvas wrapped firmly around the casualty will serve somewhat the same purpose.