Andrew Hunter

Towel Roll Technique.

A few key points in regards to my interpretation of the above guidelines and what I pass on in training. 4.0 Situation dependent, room you have to work with, equipment you have on hand and how many people you can get around the person. Applying an Extrication Jacket or half rigid board device can assist in removing the patient quicker and with less movement. Spine board slide is always preferred, if you can get it into position. 4.1 Always use soft collars, even if applying an Extrication Jacket. When transporting patients you can see greater comfort levels. 4.2 Always transfer patient onto the ambulance stretcher. Never leave on spine board or in immobilisation jacket for transport. Depending on the distance I have to go between the extrication and the ambulance I use the old technique of towel rolls, to assist with head movement while in a soft collar. Also spider straps and figure 8 bandage around the ankles. If we are putting them on a spine board for extraction, to prevent movement and jiggly twisting. Let us do that, without causing the harsh traction of a semi ridgid collar or body flailing about. For rope rescue you can't go past the Safe right body splint, bridal is built in and is comfortable for the patient. saferight.com.au/.... Vacuum mattress here is the gold medal and...Read more...

4.0 Spinal Immobilisation Techniques and Devices  The clinical importance of prehospital immobilisation in spinal trauma remains unproven. There have been no randomised controlled trials to study immobilisation techniques or devices on trauma victims with suspected spinal cord injury. All existing studies have been retrospective or on healthy volunteers, manikins or cadavers1. Prehospital spinal immobilisation has never been shown to affect outcome and the estimates in the literature regarding the incidence of neurological deterioration due to inadequate immobilisation may be exaggerated. Spinal immobilisation can expose victims to the risks associated with specific devices and the time taken in application leads to delays in transport time.2,3,4 4.1 Cervical Collars  The use of semi rigid (SR) cervical collars by first aid providers is not recommended (CoSTR 2015, weak recommendation, low quality evidence).5 ANZCOR recommends all rescuers in the pre-hospital environment review their approach to the management of suspected spinal injury with regards to SR cervical collars. Consistent with the first aid principle of preventing further harm, the potential benefits of applying a cervical collar do not outweigh harms such as increased intracranial pressure, pressure injuries or pain and unnecessary movement that can occur with the fitting and application of a collar. In...Read more...