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K E M P S V I L L E V O L U N T E E R R E S C U E S Q U A D |
Simulation
of the management of a multiple trauma patient (April 1997). EMT Amy Spence (left) is
manually protecting the patient's head and neck. EMT Rick Baker (top center) is checking
the patient's back for signs of injury, and removing the oxygen mask from the patient's
face while EMT Kristin Haugen prepares to suction the patient's airway. The patient's
neck is also protected by a cervical collar (neck brace). The patient (actually Paramedic
Christi Budy) is about to be strapped to a long backboard, and a cervical immobilization
device (the yellow cushions in the bottom left corner) will replace Spence's hands to
stabilize the patient's head and neck. As you can see, modern EMS providers go to great
lengths to protect a patient's airway and spinal cord. This patient would also receive
advanced life support treatment and rapid transportation to a trauma center.