NEANN Long Spine Board Manual

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STRADDLE LIFT

ABOVE - 4 PERSON

The Straddle Lift - Above is a technique to place a patient onto a Long Spine Board (LSB) where space or the number of rescuers is limited, and can be used with the patient found in either the supine, prone or lateral positions. It is especially useful in confined spaces where there is insufficient room to perform other manoeuvres such as Straddle Lift - Side, log roll or to apply the Scoop Stretcher. The Straddle Lift - Above can also be used very effectively on rough ground or uneven surfaces that would again prevent the application of the Scoop Stretcher or the use of a log roll.¹ From and OH&S point of view, the Straddle Lift appears to offer a very safe lifting technique when performed correctly.

Points To Remember:

1. When lifting keep the arms and back straight, and use your quadriceps to do the lift.

2. When applying the LSB, the patient needs to be lifted only 2 - 5 cm off the ground.

3. Padding using blankets is recommended for LSB comfort and to reduce pressure sores.^2-5 Blankets should be placed on the LSB before insertion.

4. If using a Scoop Stretcher or a thick LSB, the patient will need to be lifted slightly higher for the patient to clear the frame.

Training Requirements:

4 x Staff
1 x Patient
1 x Cervical Collar
1 x Long Spine Board
1 x Blanket
1 x Towel
1 x Hand / Wrist Airsplint



	Step 1 Place the LSB above the patient’s head and in-line with the patient’s body. Alternatively, the LSB can be slid under from the patient’s foot end if access above the patient’s head is not possible. Officer 1 positions at the patient’s head and squats down on their knees with one leg on either side of the LSB so that the LSB can be slid through Officer 1’s legs. Manual In-Line Stabilisation of the patient’s head is performed by Officer 1 with elbows resting on their legs for stability. A Cervical Collar is also applied. The Manual In-Line Stabilisation is maintained until full spine immobilisation is achieved¹ as a Cervical Collar will at best provide only 50% immobilisation.
	Officer 2 is positioned above the patient’s head to slide the LSB into place. Before inserting the LSB, Officer 6 should place a blanket onto the LSB for improved comfort^2-5(taped at the foot end to ensure the blanket stays in place during LSBs insertion under the patient). A hand/wrist airsplint should be placed on top of the blanket where the patient’s lumbar spine will be positioned.



	Step 2 Officer 3 straddles over the patient’s torso and faces side-on to the patient. Officer 3 then squats down and places their hands underneath the patient’s armpits. Officer 3’s arms should rest on their inner legs with their back and arms kept straight. Officer 4 (at the same time as Officer 3) straddles over the patient’s upper legs and faces the same way as Officer 3. Officer 4 then squats down and places their hands underneath the patient’s bottom. Officer 4’s arms should rest on their inner legs with their back and arms kept straight.



	Step 3 With Officer 3 in charge (as Officer 3 bears most of the weight), Officer 1 at the head lifts by slightly flexing both their elbows. Officer 3 at the patient’s chest and Officer 4 at the patient’s pelvis keep their arms and backs straight and lift the patient approximately 2 - 5 cm of the ground by flexing their quadriceps only. Officer 2 then slides the LSB underneath the patient. The curve of the LSB will allow the LSB to slide correctly under the patient, aligning the LSB shoulder markings with the patient’s shoulders.



	Step 4 The patient is then immobilised to the LSB for transport⁶.

Bibliography

1. Gianluca Del Rossi
Journal Of Atheletic Training September 2003 38 (3): 204 - 208
A Comparison Of Spine Board Transfer Techniques And The Effects Of Training On Performance

2. Walton R, DeSalvo JF, Ernst AA, Shahane A.
Acad Emerg Med 1995 Aug;2(8):725-
Padded vs unpadded spine board for cervical spine immobilization.

3. Hauswald M, Hsu M, Stockoff C.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2000 Jul-Sep;4(3):250-2
Maximizing comfort and minimizing ischemia: a comparison of four methods of spinal immobilization.

4. Cordell WH, Hollingsworth JC, Olinger ML, Stroman SJ, Nelson DR.
Ann Emerg Med 1995 Jul;26(1):31-6
Pain and tissue-interface pressures during spine-board immobilization.

5. Hann
www.neann.com
Does proper padding reduce pain on Long Spine Boards

6. Victorian Ministerial Task Force on Trauma
Review Of Trauma And Emergency Services Report 1999

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