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EMT in person class- Topic: KED
Today we learned how to use the KED. KED stands for Kendric Extrication Device and it is used for extricating patients from motor vehicle crashes. It is a shorter backboard so it supports the head and torso of a patient, before you get them onto the backboard. As you approach the scene, with any sort of trauma, you always first do manual c-spine stabilization (hold the patient’s neck in place). You then use a cervical collar to hold the head in place.
Me wearing the cervical collar:
How to put on KED:
- Slide KED behind patient
- Wrap KED around patient and secure middle strap around torso
- Secure bottom strap
- Secure straps around legs
- Secure top strap around head and cervical collar
- Remove patient from vehicle and transfer to a long spine board
- Secure patient to long spine board
Although the KED is not as good as a long spinal board, it is better to secure the cervical spine region (the top region of the spinal cord) as to avoid full paralysis or death.