Originally Posted By: Jeff_McCann
The first device to be applied is a cervical collar, commonly called a "C-collar."

The c-collar can be omitted. They are marginal performers at best, and improvised c-collars are likely to be worse than useless. This is one thing a SAM splint cannot do.

Excellent post Jeff.

Although less than ideal*, the SAM splint can actually be used to improvise a reasonable c-collar in the absence of an actual device. This link shows the wrap technique to fashion one in the field - scroll down to the tenth video to view.

Jim

*The SAM video shows the PT's head being moved around a lot more than one would ever like to see, although this could be somewhat minimized if the c-collar were to be fashioned while the PT was in the supine position.
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