Expose the patient fully - remove the patient's clothes

Log-roll to expose the back (Fig 1)

• Maintain cervical spine immobilisation
• Keep the thoracic and lumbar spine in line
• Perform a rectal examination
• If the patient is on a scoop stretcher, this should be removed (spinal boards should not be used: they are an extrication device only)
• Cover the patient with blankets and keep the patient warm