Rigid Cervical Collar

A Rigid Cervical Collar is a cervical orthosis used to immobilize the cervical spine following trauma, surgery, or instability. Composed of a rigid plastic shell with foam padding, it restricts flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending to protect the spinal cord from injury during healing. Used in emergency departments, trauma centers, operating rooms, and pre-hospital settings, it is essential for spinal motion restriction protocols. Proper sizing, skin integrity monitoring, and neurological assessment are critical for safe and effective use.

Tourniquet

A Tourniquet is a constricting device applied to a limb to occlude blood flow for hemorrhage control, surgical bloodless field, or venous engorgement. Combat application tourniquets with windlass mechanisms are essential for stopping life-threatening extremity bleeding in trauma, military, and prehospital settings. Elastic tourniquets facilitate venipuncture by engorging superficial veins. Pneumatic tourniquets create controlled ischemia for extremity surgery. Proper application, time documentation, and understanding that tourniquets for hemorrhage control should not be loosened until surgical control are critical for safe and effective use.