First Aid - When Disaster Strikes - page 116

eyelid outward and scraping its inner surface over the short eyelashes of the lower lid. A soft,
clean cloth may be gently dragged across the eyeball to snag particles of debris. Do not use cot-
ton or tissue paper.
First Aid for a Foreign Object in the Eye
• If the object does not move freely, do not attempt to remove it.
• Call EMS.
• Prevent the victim from rubbing the eye and causing more damage.
• Cover both eyes, so the victim will not cause more damage by moving the eyes
around.
Moving Injured People
If the victim is in physical danger, or is in a remote location, it may be necessary to move him
or her. Whenever there is a potential spinal injury, the victim must be immobilized and the ut-
most care must be given to minimize or prevent movement of the back or neck (see fig. 5-16 ) .
Ideally, several qualified medical personnel will be available to lift the victim onto a backboard
or Stokes litter, where the person will be strapped down to prevent movement. In reality, you
may have to improvise and do your best with whatever materials are available. If a spinal in-
jury is suspected, immobilize the head and neck at all times, and always roll or lift the body as
a unit (see fig. 5-17 ).
Clothing Drag for Single Rescuer
If you must move a victim by yourself owing to immediate danger, use the clothes drag to drag
the person, face down or face up, out of danger. Crouch by the victim's head and grab the
clothing by the shoulders, using your forearms to stabilize the head and neck. Keep your lower
back straight, to minimize back strain. Walk backward to drag the victim out of danger. With a
helper, you can position the victim on a blanket and use the blanket for a modified clothes drag.
Multi-Helper “Stretcher” Rescue
Whenever possible, recruit others to help move the injured. The more helpers, the easier it will
be. Four people is a good number for moving victims short distances over easy ground. Over
rough ground, three per side and one at each end makes the carry less tiring and helps minimize
the chance of dropping the stretcher if one person trips. Rotate crews every ten minutes over