A backboard for immobilizing and transporting injured persons and a head restraining device for employment with such a backboard is provided. The backboard includes a rigid support member, two head engaging members which are slidably received in a track attached to the rigid support member and latching assemblies to hold the head support members in a fixed position relative to the rigid support board. The head support members are designed to be positioned adjacent the head of an injured person who has been placed on the backboard, one head support member on each side of the head. The head support members may be completely removed from the track when not in use. The latching assemblies include a spring biased member which engages the track, due to the spring bias, and holds the head engaging member in a fixed position. The backboard may include body strapping members which include a cloth strap, a ring slidably and rotatably retained by one end of the strap and a snap hook swivelly connected to each ring. The snap hooks are connectable to rods embedded in the hand holds of the support board or to the rings of other strapping members. The backboards may include a foot support assembly which includes a foot plate and two extension members. The foot plate is rotatably attached to two extension members which in turn are slidably attached to the support board.
A head immobilizer apparatus includes a base plate having mounting members on outer edges which are releasably engagable through apertures to a spine board. In one aspect, the mounting members are cantilevered clips include a first leg projecting downward from the plane of the base plate and an outwardly and upwardly extending second leg. Alternately, a pair of clips may be formed on each opposed side edge and one additional clip formed on one end edge of the base plate. A flange is disposed adjacent to at least one side edge of each clip and is unitarily formed as part of the base plate. Each flange extends outward for substantially the same length as the adjacent clip to sandwich an outer edge of the spine board therebetween under spring force generated by the resilient, cantilever clips. In another aspect, the mounting members are hook shaped legs depending from a bottom surface of the base plate and terminating in projections extending from an end of each leg to form a hook shaped recess engagable with an edge of the spine board adjacent one aperture in the spine board to releasably mount the base plate to the spine board. Mating hook and loop fastener strips are mounted on the base plate and the underside of a pair of head pads for selectively positioning the head pads on the base plate on opposite sides of a victim's head. At least one head and/or chin strap is releasably mountable to hook and loop strips carried on the outer surfaces of each head pad.
A spine protecting strap apparatus for trauma victim transportation has a longitudinal zipper with each side configured for detachable connection to the edges and at the head end of the supporting carrier. A plurality of adjustable length, transverse strap assemblies with releasable, slack take-ups have one end permanently connected to either side of the longitudinal zipper and the opposite end configured for detachable connection to corresponding edges of the carrier, so that, with the longitudinal zipper fully closed and the detachable connections connected to the carrier, the transverse straps are effectively connected across the width of the carrier and the straps can be tightened in order to immobilize the victim's body for transportation.
A spinal restraint device and a method of securing a patient to a spinal restraint device are described. The spinal restraint device consists of a spine board, having a plurality of strap mounting openings. A plurality of straps are mounted to the openings in the spineboard. At least one yoke is provided. The yoke has a first strap which extends through the yoke from a mounting opening on the spineboard above the yoke and a second strap which extends through the yoke from a mounting opening on the spineboard below the yoke. The first strap and second strap describe the shape of an hourglass.
A patient assist lift (PAL) device comprising a contoured shell which provides many benefits to patients and rescuers. A PAL device reduces or eliminates the risks of injuring a patient during mobilization. A PAL device may be quickly and easily attached to a patient, and supports hips, spine, torso, and neck. Color coded straps encourage proper use of a PAL device. Ergonomic handles and straps reduce or eliminate injury to rescuers during lifting and movement of an injured person. A PAL device enables rescuers to lift and mobilize an injured person from any position and in any situation. A PAL device is especially effective in emergencies in providing a safe and efficient means to secure and move a patient with the least amount of effort while minimizing the risks and discomfort to both patient and rescuer in mobilizing such patient. A smaller PAL device can be used to immobilize children or extremities.
A head stabilizer for a patient support backboard comprising a pair of slotted retainers extending laterally across the top of the backboard, and a pair of hinged head restraint units with projections for reception in the retainer slots to selectively position these units apart from each other laterally of the backboard. The head restraint units are removable for cleaning and may be folded up for storage on the backboard between the retainers.
