Appendix 1: Application of a Cervical Collar

• Requires 2 people
• In-line manual immobilisation
• Size collar (infra-mental line to trapezius)
• Carefully apply collar

1. In-line Immobilisation

2. Measuring for collar size

3. Checking collar size

4. Fitting collar

5. Collar in place

Evidence suggests that cervical collars reduce motion in all planes but, alone, they do not provide adequate immobilisation and must therefore always be used in conjunction with manual in-line stabilisation or head blocks and tapes.