1. Stabilization and Transportation of Injured Athletes
Chapter 22
Stabilization and Transportation of Injured Athletes

2. Objectives Understand why athletic equipment is removed.
Explain how to remove an athlete from the field.
Explain when a backboard is necessary.
Explain when an athlete should walk or use an aid to get off a field or court.

3. Key Terms Extrication Ambulatory Neck Roll
Removing an injured athlete from a playing field, court, or a dangerous situation to get them care without causing additional harm
Ambulatory
The ability of an athlete to walk from the field without support.
Neck Roll
Padding/equipment sometimes included as a part of a football player’s uniform

4. Equipment Removal Not always necessary
Always remove face mask in breathing emergencies, recommended to remove anytime prior to transport
Shoulder pads and face mask in cardiac emergencies

5. Face Mask Must be removed to gain access to an airway
Always suspect a neck or head injury, so athlete needs to be immobilized (head stabilized)

6. Face Mask Removal Tools
Cutting tool or screw driver, depending on helmet
Cut side mounting loops or remove screws
Leave chin strap and helmet in place

7. Helmet Only remove helmet if…
After removal of the facemask, the athlete’s airway cannot be accessed for rescue breathing
The helmet and chin strap do not keep the head secure
The helmet prevents you from properly positioning the athlete for immobilization and transport
If the face mask cannot be removed from the helmet within a reasonable amount of time

8. Non-football helmets Hockey Baseball/Softball
Unsnap strap on each side of the mask and it flips up
Baseball/Softball
Remove screws or cut side loops

9. Jerseys and Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads can remain in place in most situations
If removal needed, jersey must be removed as well, may need to be cut off
Can cut at sleeves or up the middle

10. Jerseys and shoulder pads
Unhook chest straps and unlace or cut laces in front (or back)
One person should be holding head in alignment at all times
Remove pads by bending pads back and pulling over athlete’s head

11. Jerseys and shoulder pads
Removing pads from a player on his side
Remove jersey
Unhook chest straps
Cut or unlace the laces (front and back)
Maintain head position at all times
Second person slides pads off

12. Neck Roll Removal depends on type
If attached to shoulder pads, cut string
If attached by screws, may be best to leave attached to shoulder pads and remove with the shoulder pads
Non attached should come off when jersey and pads are removed

13. Helmet
Should be left in place at all times unless it interferes with the ability of the ATC to give proper care
If helmet removal is mandated the proper procedures include the following:

14. Helmet ATC controls the head an prevents any movement
Cheek pads removed by first aider
First aider controls the head from inside the helmet
ATC unsnaps chin straps
ATC pulls helmet off
ATC fills gap between ground and head with towel to help stabilize head/neck
ATC regains control of the head
Person at the head acts as the director for all others

15. Helmet
If helmet is removed, shoulder pads and neck roll must also be removed

16. Uniform and Pad removal
Non-serious injury
Can assist athlete in removal of uniform and pads
Remove from uninjured side first
Remove padding from around injured area

17. Lifting and moving an Athlete
Decide following assessment
Minor injury
Athlete may be able to move themselves, or may need assistance from ATC
Serious injury
May require straps, stretchers, and/or backboards
Variety of lifts/assists also useful

18. Proper techniques Wide base (feet shoulder-width apart)
Always look up before and during lifting
Move athlete on backboard or stretcher feet first to avoid nauseating athlete.

19. Backboarding Reasons to backboard Any spinal or back injury
When extent of injury cannot be determined
When there is not enough time to splint obvious fractures, and the injury is serious

20. Backboarding Requires several trained people
Person in charge controls the head throughout the entire procedure

21. Backboarding Control the head. Call 911
Place cervical collar on athlete to immobilize the spine.
Prepare the backboard.
Under direction of the person in control of the head, roll the athlete 90 degrees and position the board by sliding it behind the athlete, once it is in position, roll athlete and board back with head at the top and athlete centered on the board.

22. Backboarding
Place both cross-chest straps over the collarbones and tighten.
Put headblock in place.
Tape head to the board (forehead and chin)
Place hip strap.
Place foot strap.

23. Backboarding 4 people minimum to carry the backboard
Lift-and-slide method an alternative if you have at least 5 people

24. Short boarding
Used when athlete reports spinal pain but is in a seated position
Only do if highly trained
See figure 22.6 in book

25. Ambulatory movement of Athlete
Decide extent of injury before moving athlete
Athlete should not be allowed to put pressure on the injured body part

26. One-person carry/assist
Place athlete with injured area nearest assistant
Support by athlete putting arm over assistant’s shoulder while assistant holds opposite hip of athlete

27. Two-person carry Seated carry Lock arms
Athlete sits on one set of arms, other set supports upper back

28. Stretcher Made of canvas Flexible
Used to transport athlete w/out spinal injury
4 people to carry
Move feet first or head first

29. Scoop stretcher Can be separated
Ability to put athlete on stretcher without rolling or lifting