5-22. KENDRICK EXTRICATION DEVICE (KED)

The Kendrick extrication device is one of the pieces of equipment that can be used before the patient is placed on a long spine board. The KED is used to immobilize a patient with possible spinal cord injury. The device can be slipped behind a patient who is found seated in a bucket seat, a short compact car seat, a seat with a contoured back, or in a confined space. The KED can also be used in places too confined for a short spine board to be used to stabilize the patient's head and torso.

Figure 5-3. The Kendrick extrication device.

Figure 5-4. The Kendrick extrication device applied to a patient.

a. Indications for Use. Generally, a KED is used to prepare patients with suspected spinal injuries for extrication and/or movement from a sitting to a supine position. As noted in the previous paragraph, the KED is used where the short spine board could not be used.

b. Procedure for Applying the KED. Follow this procedure:

(1) Open the KED and place it between the patient's buttocks and the seat he is on.

(2) Center the KED on the patient and position the KED snugly under the patient's armpits.

(3) Place padding under the small of the patient's neck.

(4) Fasten the chest straps. Snug up the bottom and the middle straps.

(5) Secure the leg straps like this:

(a) Slide the straps under the patient's thighs

(b) Cross the straps at the crotch.

(c) Secure the straps at the opposite side. (Local protocol may vary on this point.)

(d) Use padding and be especially careful with male patients when applying the leg straps. Take care not to involve the penis when securing the leg straps.

NOTE: The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma decided in 1977 to remove the use of chin straps from patient immobilization protocol. Difficulties in comfortable patient immobilization followed. The horse-collar and horseshoe blanket technique provide firm stability to cervical injuries. Both allow the patient comfort through good padding.

(e) Tie the patient's hands together prior to movement.

c. Placement of the Patient on the Spine Board. Follow this procedure:

(1) Both rescuers grasp the side handles on opposite sides of the KED. Place their other arms under the patient's legs.

(2) Locking their arms together under the patient, the rescuers lift the patient up (keeping the patient's legs at a 45 degree angle). The rescuers then lower the patient onto a spine board.

NOTE: Another method of moving the patient to a spine board is for the rescuers to pivot the patient around in the seat and lower him onto a spine board placed inside the vehicle on an adjacent seat.

(3) The rescuers loosen the leg straps and lower the patient's legs until the patient is flat on the board.