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Sun, 02 Feb 2003 08:43:27 -0500

In answer to your question, occasionally we will board and collar a patient
that is in cardiac arrest (non-traumatic). Through my practice as a
paramedic I find it most useful to put on a C-Collar to help stabilize Neck
and ultimately the Endo Trachea tube; (by minimizing Lateral rotation,
Extension, and Flexion of the head/neck). 

A patient being immobilized in this manner helps to minimize head movement
and thus decrease the risk of the ET tube coming out during transport. I
guess if you want to look at this procedure for what it is, it really is an
extravagant, yet effect method of maintaining the airway, but let it be
known, taking the time to put someone on a full backboard and negate to
treat other things that are going on, such as IV, Meds, in my view, is not
warranted. It is done when there is sufficient manpower to do so.

Furthermore, a patient will be boarded to assist in moving a patient in
arrest, it makes it a lot easier; although in this case it is common to use
the Reeves for movement; However, the Reeves does not provide anywhere to
secure the head down, but a Long Back Board does.

In fact, most patients that warrant a tube, in my view, should have a
c-collar applied in the pre hospital environment.

Try using is in an arrest, it keeps the patient all in one place and you
don't have to re-intubate cos of movement.

In the state of NJ there is no "written protocol" for this procedure, its
really one of many tricks of the trade!!!

Hope that helps (these are the reason that I use non-trauma spinal
immobilization, there may be others reasons).

Lee Taylor-Vaughan, MICP

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non-traumatic cervical immobilization? (Nanto Cielens)