A rigid cervical collar should be placed in a combat or military situation if certain conditions occurred.
Situation: prehospital
Indications for placement of a rigid cervical collar:
(1) any trauma with loss of consciousness OR head trauma with questionable loss of consciousness
(2) temporary amnesia
(3) major blast/explosive injury
(4) violent impact on the head, neck, torso or pelvis
(5) sudden acceleration/deceleration or lateral bending on the neck or torso
(6) fall from height
(7) ejection from any motorized vehicle
(8) vehicle roll-over
(9) neck pain following trauma
(10) signs of neurological impairment following trauma
(11) penetrating neck injury from explosion or in association with blunt trauma
Exceptions:
(1) isolated penetrating cervical injury AND conscious AND no neurological signs
(2) isolated penetrating brain injury with no evidence of cervical spine involvement
(3) battlefield conditions making placement dangerous
If a collar was not placed AND if the patient meets any of the criteria above AND if the cervical spine was NOT cleared then a collar should be placed.
