How to Make a Cervical Collar During First Aid

When you suspect that someone has an injury to the cervical spine (see "How to Rule Out a Spinal Cord Injury During First Aid"), and long-term immobilization is necessary, make a collar that will do the job for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape
• small, Sharp Scissors
• Illustration Board Or Cardboard

1. Get the raw material: An ensolite sleeping pad is ideal; cardboard can also work. The key is that the material be flexible yet rigid.
2. Cut a rectangular piece from the material a little longer than the circumference of the injured person's neck, and about as wide as the neck is long.
3. Cut it further so that it will fit comfortably around the injured person's neck: If you imagine the collar to be like the sloping, gentle ridgeline of a mountain range, the high points will be at 1/3 and 2/3 from left to right, with a "valley" in between them, where the front of the neck will fit. Cutting from the high points to the ends, slope it off gradually at first, then more steeply as you reach the edge.
4. Cut a hole approximately 2 inches in diameter just below the "valley" in the center. This will allow you to monitor the carotid pulse once the collar is in place.
5. Put the collar around the injured person's neck, with the hole centered over the front of the neck.
6. Close the collar at the back of the neck, securing it in place with duct tape or athletic tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice making a collar at home so that you'll be ready in the field - this is a challenging spatial task.
• Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information on first aid classes near you.
• Contact the Wilderness Medicine Institute or the National Outdoor Leadership School for information on wilderness medicine courses and books.
• As with all spinal cord injuries, be sure to keep the injured person's head, neck and back immobile throughout.
• If there are enough rescuers, keep one rescuer in charge of making sure the neck remains immobile, as a backup to the collar.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.