I Agree
The NeckSafe App is a clinical decision support tool based upon the NEXUS and Canadian C Spine studies. By accessing this Application you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use
Terms Of Use
Back
  • TERMS OF USE
  • This website and/or application is operated by Immediate Assistants Events Pty Ltd (“NeckSafe Website and/or application”) under the domain name NeckSafe.com
  • Use of NeckSafe Website and/or application and Materials
  • The information, graphics and materials on the NeckSafe Website and/or application (“Materials”) are intended to summarise our services and general matters of interest.
  • Immediate Assistants Events makes no warranties or representations regarding the quality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for purpose of the Materials.
  • Immediate Assistants Events does not warrant or represent that the NeckSafe Website and/or application or the Materials will not cause damage or are free from any computer virus or any other defects or errors.
  • Immediate Assistants Events is not liable to users of the NeckSafe Website and/or application for any loss or damage however caused resulting from the use of the NeckSafe Website and/or application and/or the Materials.
  • The Internet is not a secure medium and communications to and from the NeckSafe Website and/or application may be intercepted or altered in transit. We do not warrant that the NeckSafe Website and/or application is free from anything which may damage any computer which accesses the website and/or application or data on such computer.
  • In using the NeckSafe Website and/or application, you are deemed to accept our Privacy Policy which appears on this site.
  • Limitations of liability
  • To the maximum extent permitted by law, we exclude completely all liability to any person for loss or damage of any kind (however caused, including by negligence) arising from or relating in any way to the Materials and/or any use of the NeckSafe Website and/or application. This includes, but is not limited to, the transmission of any computer virus.
  • Where any law implies a warranty into these terms of use which may not lawfully be excluded, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, our liability for breach of the warranty will at our option be limited to the supply of the services again, or the payment of the cost of having them supplied again.
  • Where liability cannot be excluded, any liability incurred by us in relation to the use of this website and/or application or the content is limited as provided under the Trade Practices Act 1974.
  • Under no circumstances will Immediate Assistants Events be liable for any incidental, special or consequential damages, including damages for loss of business or other profits arising in relation to use of the Materials or the Immediate Assistants Events Website.
  • Copyright in material on this site
  • Unless otherwise indicated, we reserve all copyright in the content and design of this website and/or application. We own all such copyright or use it under licence or applicable law.
  • Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright Act 1968(Cth) (or any other applicable legislation throughout the world), or as otherwise provided for in this copyright notice, no part of any Materials may in any form or by any means (including electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying or recording) be reproduced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of Immediate Assistants Events.
  • Immediate Assistants Events is the owner of several registered trademarks which appear on this website and/or application. Unauthorised use of these trademarks will infringe our intellectual property rights.
  • Immediate Assistants Events reserves all other rights in the Materials and the NeckSafe Website and/or application.
  • Links to or from this website and/or application
  • You must not create or maintain any link from another website and/or application to this NeckSafe Website and/or application without our written consent. We are not liable for the content on those websites.
  • Immediate Assistants Events makes no warranties or representations that material on other web sites to which the NeckSafe Website and/or application is linked does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any person anywhere in the world.
  • Immediate Assistants Events is not, and must not be taken to be, authorising infringement of any intellectual property rights contained in material on other sites.
  • Applicable Law
  • The law applicable to use of the NeckSafe Website and/or application and the Materials and to disputes arising out of the NeckSafe Website and/or application and the Materials is governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New South Wales, Australia.
  • We may change the Terms of Use at our discretion and without notice. A version of the current Terms of Use will be available on this website and/or application as they are changed. This legal disclaimer is in no way limited or altered by any other terms or conditions on this website
  • DISCLAIMER
  • This website and/or application contains general information about medical conditions and treatments.  The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such.
  • The medical information on this website and/or application is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.  The author/s, developer/s, host/s and their staff, colleagues and heirs makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website. 
  • Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the author/s, developer/s, host/s and their staff, colleagues and heirs do not warrant that:
  • the medical information on this website and/or application will be constantly available, or available at all; or
  • the medical information on this website and/or application is complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading.
  • You must not rely on the information on this website and/or application as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.  
  • If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
  • If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. 
  • You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.
  • Nothing in this medical disclaimer will limit any of our liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law, or exclude any of our liabilities that may not be excluded under applicable law in any country in perpetuity.
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Immediate Assistants Events Pty Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy. Since 21 December 2001, companies are bound by sections of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), which set out a number of principles concerning the protection of your personal information.
  • Immediate Assistants Events Pty Ltd collects personal information in a number of ways, including:
  • directly from you, such as when you enter your personal details on this website (during completion of the contact form), when you provide information by phone or in documents;
  • from third parties such as our related companies, credit reporting agencies or your representatives;
  • from publicly available sources of information;
  • Your personal information may be used to:
  • provide the services you require as agreed by you;
  • administer and manage those services, including charging, billing and collecting debts;
  • research and develop our services;
  • The types of personal information we collect from you will depend on how you use our web sites. Such information may include your name, current and previous addresses, telephone / mobile phone number, email address.
  • Our websites record other information as well. This information is used to improve the structure and performance of those sites to provide users with an improved service. Whenever a page is requested from our web server, we record the time, date and URL of the request, along with information on the browser software that is being used. This site uses “cookies”. Cookies are pieces of information that a web site can transfer to an individual’s computer hard drive for record keeping. Cookies can make using our websites easier by storing information about your preferences on a particular website. This will enable you to take full advantage of the services we offer. The use of cookies is an industry standard and you’ll find most major websites use them. Most Internet browsers are pre-set to accept cookies. If you prefer not to receive cookies, you can adjust your Internet browser to disable cookies or to warn you when cookies are being used.
  • We take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is stored securely. Transmissions sent to or from our websites are routinely monitored for quality control and systems administration. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access, we cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us or receive from our online products or services. These activities are conducted at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we make our best effort to ensure its security.
  • Remember to close your browser when you have finished your user session. This is to ensure that others cannot access your personal information and correspondence if you share a computer with someone else or are using a computer in a public place like a library or Internet cafe. You as an individual are responsible for the security of and access to your own computer.
  • This Immediate Assistants Events Privacy Policy may change from time to time. The Immediate Assistants Events Privacy Policy will be made available to anyone who requests it, whether at our offices or by use of our website.
  • How to contact us
  • If you have any questions in relation to privacy, please email us at info@necksafe.com
  • For further information about privacy issues and the protection of privacy visit the Australian Federal Privacy Commissioner’s web site at http://www.privacy.gov.au.
  • Our Privacy Policy was last updated on 2 October 2013.
Down
Up
RESUSCITATION
Back
Continue
The first stage in treatment of any patient is resuscitation. This is easily remembered by the initials
Resuscitation takes precedence over all else.
If the injured person is unconscious, the NeckSafe principles can still be practiced with special attention to managing the Airway with Cervical Spine Control.
Back
DRSA+BC
Danger
Response
Send 4 Help
D
R
S
Airway PLUS C-Spine Control
A
Breathing
B
Circulation
C
Circulation
The letter C is in Circulation reminds the first-responder that cardiac massage may be necessary if the injured person is in cardiac arrest.
Back
Breathing
B for Breathing refers to the necessity of performing expired air respiration or Bag Valve Mask resuscitation if the person is not breathing.
Back
Back
A is for Airway and this must be clear in order to allow oxygen to enter the lungs. In the context of suspected spinal cord injury, it is necessary to think of maintaining the airway PLUS utilising cervical spine control, hence “A PLUS”. In Basic Life Support courses, students are taught that the airway can be cleared manually by looking in the mouth and removing any obstruction, and then either moving the jaw forward or tilting the neck in order to allow free passage of air. If spinal cord injury is suspected, then it is preferable to avoid tilting the neck and utilising these or other methods for ensuring a clear airway. However, if it is necessary to move the neck in order to make sure air can enter the lungs then this takes priority.
Airway PLUS C-Spine Control
Send 4 Help
S reminds us to Send for help early in this process, usually calling an ambulance or other people to offer assistance in anticipation that person may need to be treated before they are transported to hospital.
Back
Response
The letter R refers to Response, which is to say eliciting a response from the injured person (usually to determine whether they are conscious or unconscious and if they can tell as anything about the events leading up to the first responder finding them in need of assistance).
Back
Danger
The letter D reminds us to look for Danger that might compromise not only the injured person but the first responders as well. At no time should those people attending to any injured person put themselves at risk, and if it is not safe to approach an injured person then you should not do so.
Back
What type of trauma?
Blunt
Penetrating
Back
?
?
Penetrating Trauma
• Knife • Gun • Sharp object causing injury
Back
Blunt Trauma
• motor vehicle or bike accident • falls • sports • crush injuries • other trauma
Back
Neurologic deficit/complaint?
Yes
No
Back
?
Neurological Deficit/Complaint
Decreased sensation or movement, "pins and needles", weakness
Back
Back
Immobilization not indicated
Transport
USE CLINICAL JUDGMENT: IF IN DOUBT >>>>>>>>IMMOBILIZE
TRANSPORT
Back
• Airway clear and secured • Ventilation is satisfactory • O2 100% at 8 litres/minute • Blood Pressure stable • IV lines in and secure • Immobilisation At, Above and Below injury • Documentation complete • Nasogastric Tube and Indwelling Catheter • Pressure over bony prominences relieved • Spinal Unit aware and ready • Check and tighten straps as necessary
IMMOBILIZE
Back
RAPID TRANSPORT
Spineboard
C-Collar
Manual Inline Support
Head in Neutral Position
Headbed
Is a Head Bed device available, serviceable and are you trained in its use?
Yes
No
Back
Back
If there is no danger to yourself or the injured person, maintain Manual Inline Support with the C-Collar in place and wait for help to arrive
Headbed
Back
• Slip Headbed baseplate under head • Secure Headbed baseplate • Place side-blocks • Re-place hands outside of side-blocks • Secure straps • Adjust further if necessary
Head in Neutral Position
Back
•Midline •“sniffing the breeze” position •Not: • flexed • rotated • laterally flexed •DO NOT FORCE!! •DO NOT REPOSITION NECK IF: • Pain increases • Weakness increases • “Tingling” increases • Mechanical “block” to further movement • "crunching" felt (crepitus) • Patient complains
Back
• Neck in neutral position • Hands alongside face on both sides • Firm hold • DO NOT APPLY TRACTION
Manual Inline Support
Is a C-Collar available, serviceable and are you trained in its use?
Yes
No
Back
Back
If there is no danger to yourself or the injured person, maintain Manual Inline Support and wait for help to arrive
C-Collar
Back
Measure (if necessary) Select correct size collar Pass collar behind neck Secure Velcro and other tabs Reassess position Adjust further if necessary
Is a spineboard, scoop stretcher, split stretcher or vacuum mattress available, serviceable and are you trained in its use?
Yes
No
Back
Back
If there is no danger to yourself or the injured person, maintain Manual Inline Support with the C-Collar in place and wait for help to arrive
Spineboard
Back
• Log-roll patient towards helpers • Insert spineboard • Log-roll patient flat • Secure straps • Reassess position • Adjust further if necessary
RAPID TRANSPORT
Back
• Airway clear and secured • Ventilation is satisfactory • O2 100% at 8 litres/minute • Blood Pressure stable • IV lines in and secure • Immobilisation At, Above and Below injury • Documentation complete • Nasogastric Tube and Indwelling Catheter • Pressure over bony prominences relieved • Spinal Unit aware and ready • Check and tighten straps as necessary
Altered level of consciousness? (GCS < 15)
Yes
No
Back
?
Glasgow Coma Score
Altered Level of Consciousness
( GCS < 15)
Back

Interpretation

Generally, brain injury is classified as:

·         Severe, with GCS < 9

·          Moderate, GCS 9–12 (controversial)

·         Minor, GCS ≥ 13.

Individual elements as well as the sum of the score are important. Hence, the score is expressed in the form "GCS 9 = E2 V4 M3 at 07:35".

 

Next
Glasgow Coma Score Table
Back
1. Does not open eyes
2. Opens eyes in response to painful stimuli
3. Opens eyes in response to voice
4. Opens eyes spontaneously
1. Makes no sounds
2. Makes incomprehensible sounds
3. Utters inappropriate words
4. Confused or disoriented responses
5. Oriented(in time, place & person),converses normally
1.Makes no movements
2.Extension to painful stimuli
3. Abnormal flexion to painful stimuli
4. Flexion / Withdrawal to painful stimuli
5. Localizes to site of painful stimuli
6. Obeys commands
Yes
No
Back
ANATOMIC DEFORMITY OF SPINE
A “step” or abnormal contour of the spine
Back
Spinal Pain
Pain experienced along the spine, or tenderness when touched.
Back
Concerning Mechanism of Injury?
Yes
No
Back
?
Concerning Mechanism of Injury
Back
• High speed MVA, rollover or ejection • Diving accidents • Falls from a great height • Cave-ins and entrapment • Injury to the head • Massive and multi trauma • Lightning strikes
Yes
No
Back
Distracting injury?
Inability to communicate?
Presence of/Evidence of Alcohol/Drugs?
Evidence of Alcohol or Drugs
Intoxication or suspicion of alcohol/drug use
Back
Inability to Communicate
Back
• Speech or hearing impaired • Foreign language • Small children
Distracting Injury
Back
• Long bone fracture • Large laceration, degloving, crush • Large burns • Visceral injury requiring surgery
IMMOBILIZE
Back
TRANSPORT
Spineboard
C-Collar
Manual Inline Support
Head in Neutral Position
Headbed