What is the priority when checking a conscious casualty with a suspected spinal injury?

When a conscious casualty has a suspected spinal injury, keeping them calm and still is crucial. Movement can exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to further damage to the spinal cord. The priority is to minimize any unnecessary movement and prevent the casualty from panicking, which could lead to involuntary movements or actions that might worsen the situation.

By keeping the individual calm, you're also able to monitor their vital signs and responsiveness more effectively. This approach ensures that the casualty remains as stable as possible until professional medical assistance is available. Moving a person with a suspected spinal injury should be done with extreme caution and usually only by trained emergency personnel once they arrive.

In contrast, administering pain relief, checking for responsiveness, or arranging immediate transportation to a hospital can come later, but they do not take precedence over ensuring the casualty is calm and still, thereby preventing further injury.