Re: Value of KED (was Re: Extrication practice???)

One of the best opinions on the KED I have ever read.

I was in EMS when the KED first came out to us in the
field.  I started when we were using half back boards
and cravats.

The worst part of the KED IMO is that is needlessly
delays extrication, manual immobilization is often just
as good and the KEDs efficacy for immobilization is
dubius at best, I have seen no studies to show that it
does what its marketing says it does.

Patrick H. Mason
EMT, Cardiac Tech Intern
Virginia

"Carey Gregory" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "TRACY BOWEN" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> >The KED keeps the same immobility that the board could keep considering
all
> >the jarring around.  Whatever happened to basic PHTLS?
>
> It was just an offhand remark and purely personal opinion, but I dared to
> question the Almighty Curriculum, so I guess I have to pay the price.  ;-)
>
> Okay, here goes....
>
> The KED has no empirical evidence to support its efficacy (feel free to
> correct me), wasn't designed to do what EMS uses it for, delays
extrication,
> requires additional movement of the patient to apply, limits chest wall
> expansion, and hinders physical exam.
>
> But I questioned the Almighty Curriculum and we all know that's heresy, so
I
> guess I'll pay the price, but bear with me and consider one simple
> question....
>
> How does a device around the t-spine and a bit of the upper l-spine
> stabilize the c-spine?
>