f. Pull steadily and evenly toward yourself, keeping the head and neck in line
with the torso.
g. Roll the casualty as a single unit. The head and neck should stay in line.
h. Once the casualty is rolled onto his back, place his arms at his sides.
NOTE:
This method of rolling the casualty is used to minimize further injury to the
casualty's spine in case he has suffered an injury to the head, neck, or back.
2-6.
CHECKING THE CASUALTY FOR BREATHING
Check the casualty for breathing and for injuries that could affect his respirations.
NOTE:
If the casualty is conscious and talking, his breathing is satisfactory for
now. However, continue to monitor the casualty's breathing since swelling
throat tissue, bleeding into the throat, or other injuries could require you to
establish an airway and perform rescue breathing.
a. Look, listen and feel for respirations. If the casualty is breathing, determine if
the breathing rate is normal, rapid, or slow.
(1) Place your ear about one inch above the casualty's mouth and nose.
Listen for breathing. Look at the casualty's chest to see if it is rising and falling.
(2) Feel for breathing by placing your cheek about one inch above the
casualty's mouth and nose. Feel for air being exhaled.
NOTE:
If the casualty is not breathing, stop the evaluation and try to restore the
airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust, then check for breathing
again. If you cannot detect breathing, proceed to perform rescue breathing
(see Lesson 3).
NOTE:
In a combat situation, if you find a casualty with no signs of life (no
breathing and no pulse), do not attempt to restore the airway. Do not
attempt to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Do not continue first
aid measures.
(3) Count the casualty's respirations (one inhalation and one expiration
together is one respiration) for 15 seconds. If the casualty has less than two
respirations during the 15 seconds, insert a nasopharyngeal airway (Lesson 3) after
checking for open chest wounds.
IS0877
2-5
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