Spinal board

operable condition and to protect them from cracks and other imperfections that could harbor bacteria. Backboards are designed to be slightly wider and longer than the average human body to accommodate the immobilization straps, and have handles for carrying the patient. Most backboards are designed to be completely X-ray translucent so that they do not interfere with the exam while patients are strapped to them.

Backboards are almost always used in conjunction with the following devices:

• a cervical collar with occipital padding PRN;
• side head supports, such as a rolled blanket or head blocks made specifically for this purpose, used to avoid the lateral rotation of the head;
• straps to secure the patient to the long spine board, and tape to secure the head

See also

• Spinal injury
• Cervical collar
• Clearing the cervical spine

External links

• A photographic guide to prehospital spinal care (PDF file, 235p, 9 Mb)

• A new padded backboard has been introduced to the market. The padding attached to the surface of the backboard aims to resolve one of the drawbacks listed above. The padding on the RescuePad spineboard eliminates hotspots suffered by many patients while they are strapped to the long spine board.