When should you not elevate a casualty's legs?

Elevating a casualty's legs is a common practice when treating for shock, as it can help improve blood flow to vital organs. However, if a casualty has an unsplinted fractured leg, elevating their legs can exacerbate the injury or cause further discomfort. This is particularly important because elevation may lead to unnecessary movement of the broken bones, which could hinder healing, cause additional pain, or even lead to more serious complications such as bleeding if blood vessels are affected.

In contrast, elevating the legs of a conscious individual is often safe as it doesn't inherently worsen their condition, treating for shock generally warrants leg elevation to improve blood circulation, and minor injuries don't typically involve fractures that would be compromised by elevation. Therefore, the decision to avoid elevating legs when there is an unsplinted fracture is crucial in providing safe and effective first aid.