Helmet removal in head and neck trauma.
When an ice hockey player hits the boards head-first after a hard body check or a football defensive back doesn't get up after a head-on tackle, the initial response is critical. If the player is unconscious or not breathing, it may be necessary to remove his or her helmet to access the airway. Helmet removal requires a careful, methodical approach to avoid compounding a suspected injury to the spinal cord.
Roberts
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MinnHealth SportsCare, White Bear Lake, MN, USA.