Motorcyclists, full-face helmets and neck injuries: can you take the helmet off safely, and if so, how?
Injured motorcyclists may have a damaged and unstable cervical spine (C-spine). This paper looks at whether a helmet can be safely removed, how and when should this be done? The literature is reviewed and the recommendations of the Trauma Working party of the Joint Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee are presented.
Branfoot
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Department of Surgery, North Staffordshire Trauma Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019838:Neck Injuries; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy