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).

200px 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.

Long Spine Board

See also