Long spine board

A long spine board (LSB), or backboard, is a medical device used for the immobilization and transportation of patients with suspected spinal injuries. Backboards are used to prevent movement of the spine which may cause permanent injury. They are most often used by prehospital care providers such as EMTs and Paramedics.

Spine boards are typically made of wood or plastic, although there has been a strong shift away from wood boards due to their higher level of maintenance required to keep them in operable condition and to protect them from cracks and other imperfections that could harbor bacteria. There are also Short Spine Boards, but the short spine board is rarely used now due to the presence of superior equipment such as the Kendrick Extrication Device. 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 as needed;
• 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)