EMT Skills: Spinal Immobilization Supine Patient - EMTprep.com

This EMT training video will help you prepare for the NREMT's practical exam station, Spinal Immobilization (Supine Patient)

This video is specifically provided by EMTprep to assist Members in preparing for the NREMT exam and related skills sheets and for no other purpose. NREMT study aids and resources provided by EMTprep are not intended to provide training for life saving techniques, emergency response training, or any other type of medical training.

[JC-miwn]

Passed all of them on the first attempt because of these vids. One of the best ways to study and get confident in this essential content. Thanks a lot

[kodiritacco]

Don't forget to tell your patient what you're doing. In real emergency situations if you're not telling your patients whats going on while you're poking and pushing and immobilizing them, It's only going to raise anxiety levels. Other than that this is a great prep video!

[zacharyfevold]

Hey EMTPrep just wanted to say thank you for the great videos! I just passed my practicals

[rickster]

I was taught to hold the back board at a 45 degree angle as I roll the patient on to the board then to move the patient down and up to properly position the patient

[ashleehunt]

I was taught the Z maneuver which we move the patient down than up on the backboard. We were taught that if we moved it up and across in one movement such as this it's more likely to compromise her spine and most examiners will fail ( coming from kingman arizona) as well as head being last to be secured

[Nobodynooneatall]

I was taught the two emt personnel on the body should cross arms with one another as to further stabilize the spine from displacement.

[colinmartin]

Anyone watching this now, you do not secure the head after the chest. Head is last. Shoulder, chest, hips, legs, feet, THEN head.

*edit* as others pointed out - my explanation is for the other style of straps, wherein you create two "X" shapes across the chest and thighs with one straight belt across the pelvis. This order of operations is correct for this style of strap (and spider straps) though in nearly 15 years, I've never seen a LSB set up this way, as it's a bit slower and more tedious.

[amandalovesd]

i’m here cuz i have my final exam for my high school emt 1 class (the same exact emt class you take at a community college but adapted to fit in a high school setting) tomorrow. i’m a little nervous but i feel like i’ll do well. my teacher said it’s mainly patient assessment and airway management

[stanleybrunhouse]

We use spider straps. And, when we secure the head, we use a criss-cross with tape over the chin and up to the head and vice versa - but not only to the head blocks, but to the backboard as well.

[LVwy]

2018 EMS Update (part of it) presented to me by AMR

“SMR: the goal is maintaining spinal neutrality. No patient should be transported on a backboard for the sole purpose of spinal motion restriction (increases movement, pain and imaging). (Flat excepted) If the backboard is used for extrication, crews should be logrolling the alert patient off the backboard onto the gurney. Hard collars are to be used for SMR however if they don’t fit the patient, modifications should be made using such items as rolled towels. “
Also for a suspected head injury place the head of the gurney at 30 degrees to avoid increasing ICP, except with a concern for thoracolumbar injury requiring supine for SMR. Also, obviously, avoid hypoxia and hypotension. (Medics provide ondansetron to avoid vomiting)

I was taught the POWR acronym for shock

Postition the patient (raise the feet of the gurney if hypotensive)
Oxygen (high flow)
Warmth (stock blankets)
Rapid Transport (trust your partner)

[kidnamedre]

these videos ate very helpful but perhaps you can make a video or include critical fails on these skills

[alyssamarie]

So glad I found this, I take my practical this Saturday!

[MrMankeyMan]

I passed my test because of these videos 👍

[Chika]

My test is this Saturday. And these videos are helping me a lot. Thank you so much!!

[CloroxBleach-rmnj]

I was taught that securing the head is last. It goes in this order: shoulders, hips, legs, head.

[charliehollis]

All of your videos have been very well done. I have watched them while going through the NREMT skill assessment sheet for each station. On the spinal immobilization sheet, they have as the last step to 'securing the patient's arms to the device.' Would you not simply have the patient's arms underneath the torso straps? This was not done in your video, so I am wondering if it is perhaps up to the individual proctor/examiner as to how this is done? It doesn't appear to be a deal breaker as I see nothing about it in the list of critical criteria to be met. Thank you for providing such excellent educational material! I am working to get my basic EMT certification back at 56 years of age. Yes, I know. I'm insane. ;~)

[darksamurai]

Excellent video. Training my Emergency Response Team here in Trinidad and Tobago and it's very useful.

[marlenehill]

Thank very much!!! I am going to do make final practice in two days.... I've seeing your videos through out of the course... it was great

[dutay]

Make sure that YOU take immediate c-spine stabilization and verbalize the change over and wait till a parter takes it or the evaluator acknowledges the simulated c-spine. . My buddy verbalized it like the video and failed.

[rachaelconstancio]

I actually had spinal immobilization performed on me after I was rear-ended at a traffic light at approximately 20 mph. After I told the paramedics that my neck and back were hurting, they placed a cervical collar around my neck and strapped me down to a backboard. I felt being immobilized on a spine board was a little excessive and dramatic for a rear-end collision. I was secured to the backboard in a similar way with a similar strapping pattern, but the paramedics also applied a strip of tape across my neck.

The physical sensation of lying on an uncomfortable board, unable to move, was not the most notable thing about the experience. While I was lying strapped to the backboard on a stretcher at the accident scene what I was waiting to be loaded into the ambulance, I had the most intense feeling of embarrassment in my life. It felt humiliating when the bystanders were staring at me while I was in a pathetic state like this. I also never felt so helpless before. I had no control over the situation. I couldn't even move my head to look at the car, paramedics, and bystanders as the neck brace and strips of tape across my forehead and neck prevented me from turning my neck. The paramedics had to retrieve my purse from the wrecked car.

The immobilization and ambulance ride weren't bad. The paramedics kept me relaxed and calm as they told me what were they doing to me and reassured me that this was precautionary while immediately after the accident I was stressed out and anxious. I knew I was going to be fine because I wasn't hurt badly and I was in competent and capable hands.