Spinal First Aid
Spinal boards and vacuum mattresses are two first aid products used to assist in removal of victims of spinal trauma. Spine boards and vacuum mattresses are often seen at sports arenas and other venues where participants may be in jeopardy of spinal injury.
A trend in spinal first aid is to move away from spine boards to vacuum mattresses, which are considered superior. See below for more details.
Spinal boards
Also called back boards or spine boards, the spinal boards should be equipped with the following accessories:
- straps with Velcro or quick release buckles
- head immobilizer
- ridged design for maximum victim comfort
For swimming pools and beach areas, buoyant spine boards are appropriate. These are often made of lightweight materials and their buoyancy gives them maneuverability and added safety.
First aid spine boards were traditionally made of wood. If you work in a facility where these are still in use, you should recommend that they get an updated spine board, made of lighter materials (for easier handling) with Velcro straps and other design innovations.
A vacuum mattress is more highly recommended in most cases.
Vacuum Mattresses
A number of respected medical experts recommend vacuum mattresses over spine or back boards. These experts in the field claim that these are easier to scoop victims onto, are more comfortable and offer superior spine mobilization. Comfort ought never to be underestimated, as victims may be immobilized for several hours. In discomfort they may try to shift position, endangering them further.
These spinal first aid products, also called vacuum splint kits, immobilize the patient and conform to any body weight and size. These can also be easier for attendants to carry. Vacuum mattresses (or vacuum splint kits) usually come with an air pump.
Comparison
A British study published in EMJ (the English Medical Journal) Online showed that patients were far less likely to move and were more comfortable on the vacuum mattress. Body movements in all positions were “significantly greater on the backboard than on the vacuum mattress.”
