Spine board, first aid for spine damage

 1. What is a spine board?

The spinal board consists of a fiberboard or wooden board with opposing holes around the board for fixation straps and casualty handling. Application of the spine board should be combined with a neck brace, head immobilizer and fixation belt for casualties with spinal injuries.

2. How to use spinal board with head immobilizer? (Cervical spine injury as an example)

When dealing with a suspected cervical spine injury casualty, the operation requires the rescuer to use unassisted braking techniques to prevent the operation from causing secondary injury to the casualty.

① Headlock.

Purpose: to fix the casualty's head

Manipulation: the casualty is lying on his back, the operator is located at the head end of the casualty, kneeling on both knees, first fix his hands elbows, put the elbows on the thighs or the ground, the palms of both hands are located on both sides of the casualty's head, the thumbs are located on the forehead, the index and middle fingers are located on his cheeks, the ring finger and pinky finger are placed behind the ear, do not cover the ear.

②Head-thorax lock.

Purpose: used to convert other braking techniques

Method of operation: The operator kneels on the side of the casualty, near the head end of the casualty arm elbow fixed on the ground, fingers pressed on the forehead of the casualty, the other arm elbow fixed on the sternum of the casualty, thumb and the remaining four fingers are pressed on both sides of the cheeks of the casualty, the palm of the hand should not cover the mouth and nose of the casualty.

③ Head and shoulder lock.

Purpose: overall turning of the casualty

Manipulation: The casualty is supine, the operator kneels on both knees at the head end of the casualty, first stabilize his elbow, lock the casualty's shoulder with one hand, fix the casualty's head like a headlock with the other hand, clench the head with the palm of his hand and forearm to fix the head. Note: to which side of the reversal, the long arm is located on which side.

④ Double shoulder lock.

Purpose: pan the casualty

Method of operation: The operator is located at the head end of the casualty, first fixing his or her own double elbows. Hands on both sides of the casualty's neck, thumbs and four fingers apart, palms up, fingers pointing to the foot end, lock the casualty's shoulders, two forearms above the two ears close to the casualty's head to make it fixed.

⑤ Thoracic dorsal lock.

Purpose: fix the head and neck of the sitting casualty; lay the sitting casualty on the spinal board; remove the helmet for the cervical injury casualty when

Operation method: the operator kneeling on the side of the casualty, with two forearms clamped casualty's chest and back, hands lock the casualty's cheek and back occipital, pay attention to the palm of the hand not to cover the casualty's mouth and nose.

3. Handling of casualties with suspected cervical spine injuries

1. Judge the safety of the scene environment and do self-protection. Instruct the casualty not to move his head and neck and to follow the ambulanceman's command.

2. Paramedic A checks the casualty's cervical spine for cervical spine injury, bruising, etc.

3. Ask the casualty to move his fingers and toes to determine if there is any spinal cord injury.

4. Paramedic B fixes the casualty's head with a headlock.

5. Paramedic A measures the height of the casualty's neck, puts a cervical brace on it, and then immediately immobilizes the casualty with a cephalothoracic lock.

6. Paramedic B changes the head and shoulder lock to fix the head and shoulder of the casualty, and together with Paramedic A, turns the casualty into a lateral position, while checking the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae for injuries.

7. Paramedic C puts the spine board on the side of the casualty's body

8. Paramedics A, B and C together put the casualty on the spine board and keep his spine rotating axially.

9. Paramedic A fixes the casualty with a head-thorax lock.

10. Paramedic B change the double shoulder lock to fix the head, neck and shoulder of the casualty, and move the casualty to the center of the spinal board together with Paramedic A.

11. Paramedic A fixes the casualty with a head-thorax lock, Paramedic B fixes the casualty's head with a head immobilizer, and Paramedic A fixes the head immobilizer with a brake band respectively.

12. Add padding between the casualty's axillae, lumbar region, knees and both lower extremities.

13. Secure the casualty to the spinal board with immobilization straps.

4. Precautions on the use of spine boards

When carrying a casualty with a fixed spine board, pay attention to the handler to rise and fall together, with steady feet and firm hands to prevent falling and slipping casualties.

1. Pay attention to the observation of the injury, not to pick up the injured person at will.

2. To keep the injured person's body lying flat and straight, not to bend the body.

3. To carry out coaxial turning, not to twist the body of the injured person.