Short Board Immobilization

Objective: To demonstrate ability to secure a sitting patient to a short board.

Determines scene is safe  

Introduces self, obtains permission to help/treat.   

Initiates Standard Precautions   

Manually stabilizes the head/cervical spine, kneeling next to the patient; establishes in-line stabilization.  

Assesses CMS in each extremity.  

Correctly sizes and applies cervical collar.  

Places board behind the patient’s back, aligning the top of the device with the top of the patient’s head.  

Crosses torso straps over the patient’s shoulders and secures to board; pads behind the patient’s head, filling voids; secures the patient’s head to the board using two cravats (forehead and chin).  

Moves the patient to a long board by placing the long board next to the patient’s buttocks; lifts the patient onto the long board, maintaining C-spine stabilization.  

Lowers the patient into a supine position on the long board, securing the patient and the short board to the long board in the usual fashion.  

Reassesses CMS in each extremity.