NEANN Long Spine Board Manual

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STRADDLE LIFT

ABOVE - 2 PERSON

The Straddle Lift - Above (2 Person) is a technique to place a patient onto a Long Spine Board (LSB) used on the non-suspected spinal patient where space or the number of Officers is limited. The technique can be used with the patient found in either the supine, prone or lateral positions. It is especially useful for medical patients 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 (2 Person) 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.¹

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 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.

Training Requirements:

2 x Staff
1 x Patient
1 x Long Spine Board
1 x Blanket
1 x Pillow
1 x Hand / Wrist Airsplint



	Step 1 Officer 1 places the LSB above the patient’s head in-line with the patients body. Officer 1 positions themself beside the LSB.



	Step 2 Officer 2 straddles the patient’s torso facing Officer 1, squatting down and is positioned at the patient’s torso and places a pillow under the patient’s head (if non trauma) or towel (if trauma). Officer 2 supports the patient’s head as Officer 1 slides the LSB under the patient’s head.



	Step 3 Officer 2 now repositions their hands underneath the patient’s armpits. Officer 2’s arms should rest on their inner legs, with their back and arms kept straight. Officer 2 lifts the patient’s torso by slightly flexing their quadriceps, but only enough to slide the LSB underneath the patient’s torso Officer 1 stops sliding the LSB when it touches the patient’s bottom. The curve of the LSB will allow the LSB to slide correctly aligned under the patient.



	Step 4 Officer 2 now moves down to the patient’s pelvis and straddles the patient, squatting down and placing their hands underneath the patient’s bottom. Officer 2’s back and arms are kept straight. Officer 2 then lifts the patient's pelvis by slightly flexing quadriceps. Officer 1 then slides the LSB underneath the patients bottom and legs until the patient’s shoulders are correctly aligned with the shoulder markings on the LSB.



	Step 5 The patient is then secured to the LSB for safety during transport.

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
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Does proper padding reduce pain on Long Spine Boards

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