Emerg Med J 20:476-478 doi:10.1136/emj.20.5.476   • Prehospital
care  Comparison of a long spinal board and vacuum mattress for
spinal immobilisation    1. M D Luscombe1,3,   2. J L
Williams2,3   1. 1Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hallamshire
Hospital, Sheffield, UK   2. 2Department of Orthopaedics,
Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK   3. 3Edale Mountain
Rescue Team, UK   1. Correspondence to:  Dr M D Luscombe,
Department of Anaesthesia, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital,
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK; 
DrLuscombe{at}   • Accepted 23 October 2002   Objectives: This
study was designed to compare the stability and comfort afforded
by the long spinal board (backboard) and the vacuum mattress.
Methods: Nine volunteers wearing standardised clothing and rigid
neck collars were secured on to a backboard and vacuum mattress
using a standard strapping arrangement. An operating department
table was used to tilt the volunteers from 45 degrees head up to
45 degrees head down, and ad