Long spine board

A long spine board is a medical device used for the scoop and transportation of patients, especially when a spine trauma is suspected. It is a board in metal, wood, or best in polymer with a metallic strucre (rigid, washable and invisible to X-rays), that is a bit longer and larger than a adult human body, with handles.

It is quite systematically used for the extrication from vehicles.

The immobilisation of the spine (splint) can be performed with:

• a rigid cervical collar;
• side head supports, to avoid the rotation of the head, possibly a rolled blanket (modern devices provide specific blocks); depending on the size of the casualty, it can be necessary to put rolled blankets along the pelvis too;
• strapping to the long spine board, at the forehead, the chin, shoulders, pelvis and knees (to be adapted according to specific traumas).

Its advantages compared to the vacuum mattress are:

• it is light and resistant;
• when it is used for the scoop, it avoids a transfer to another immobilisation device.

Its drawback are:

• it is hard, so it can cause secondary damages;
• it is uncomfortable;
• it has no flange, so the casualty may not feel secured during the movements;
• due to the strapping, it is not adapted to pelvis or limb traumas.

See also

• Clearing the cervical spine