Fig. 2

The different types of immobilization using the E.M.S. IMMO Protocol. Every trauma patient should first be stabilized using manual immobilization of the cervical spine (a). Patients who are unstable and with high transport priority should receive only minimal immobilization using a cervical collar (b). Immobilization of patients who show signs of increased intracranial pressure is achieved in the vacuum mattress in a 30° position with elevated upper body and no cervical collar (c). Complete immobilization may be indicated for patients who are haemodynamically stable (d). [Note: The model used in these photographs gave her permission for publication]