Removing MX neck support gear

[Timmy]

In the past recent weeks I’ve attended to a few Motocross accidents resulting in spinal precautions being taken. In Australia and I suppose over seas the latest in MX safety attire is a new neck brace device fitted to the chest armor. While it may be beneficial in stopping abrupt neck movement when crashing, it sure doesn’t make our job easy.

Because of the size of the device you can’t remove it unless you lift the patients head nor can you lye them supine on the spine board with it on. At a recent mx coaching day I spent about 20minutes trying to figure out/study the best way of removing it, I also had the help from a motocross exercise physiologist and senior motocross coaches who were just as stumped as I was. No body can see a way of removing it unless you move the patient, there’s no quick release or anything.

My question is has anyone experienced the same problems and how did you over come it or reduce the amount of movement?

I’ve attached a pic of the device. This isn’t the same brand but is similar.

[Dustdevil]

I don't have the experience with this type of device to address your question, but I think you, this physiologist, and any other medical professionals you can muster should draft some very professional, scientifically sound correspondence to the manufacturers to address your concerns. It's only a matter of time until somebody does, so why not you? Seems like a no brainer to just alter the device to have quick releases on each side so that it can be quickly halved.

These things are still new enough that there is plenty of refinement to be done. I think the manufacturers would be receptive to this kind of professional input.

[Scaramedic]

Is this the one your talking about Timmy?

[Timmy]

It’s a mix between what scaramedic posted and the pic I posted. Armor around the shoulders and chest/back area but also that black bit that sticks out at the neck.

I doubt the sheers would get through the plastic.

The only problem I see with quick release on neck braces is a legal issue if it happened to snap during a crash. You could go on about how they’d need to make it strong and durable ect but in reality if you’ve seen the mechanism of some of these falls the blunt force trauma is amazing and would even snap steel.

I would love to do some research papers or something along those lines but I don’t have the professional back ground and I doubt anyone in Australia would really care. Motocross tends to have a very ‘hardcore’ attitude towards safety and I doubt I would get support. Hell, they still have the little old ladies from the Red Cross coming along to major race days with their bum bags and thermos of tea and scones!

I guess its just part n parcel with MX riders, they sign an insurance form every race day saying they could be killed or seriously injured…

[BushyFromOz]

I have dealth with them 3 times now. There appears to be 2 types, one like the thing scaramedic showed above, and another that is more like a HANS device

The foam one is easy to maneuver around the patient. The added bonus i found with the foam one is it was just the right shape to place between the patients head and the spine board, like an egg cup for your noggin. when in doub't, carve it up.

The HANS type one (i see timmy has posted a pic of what i am crapping on about) is a bit difficult to work with. the deal i found with this is if your not in a hurry to control airway is to unclip it before you log roll em', you can usually get it wriggled out from underneath them in the roll. Treat em like a set of calipers, and it works very easy when they are laying lateral, so if you have the help rip it off when you go to get them on a spine board, but before you remove the helmet. I made the mistake of taking the helmet off first one day which meant i had someone in an awkward position holding the guys head up and inline as the neck guard was keeping his head elevated, where as leaving the helmet on gave the right spacing. Either way you cant get the collar on until both are off, its just smoother this way with less movement. It much easier to steady the helmet than holding the patients head up.

Of course this is all relevent, some patients can wait another minute for 02, some cant, you just gotta take it as it comesl

I dont so much mind dealing with these as apposed to dealing with the kevlar plate armour that is sewn into leathers, that stuff is a pain in the arse! :shock: im considering a set of "big shears" :?

not my best entry but im buggered.... another rum then bed methinks

[Timmy]

The ones I’ve come across have a quick release at the sides of the chest but you still have to wriggle it off them over the head. With some of the less built riders that neck thing that sticks out about 5cm from the back making their head position go right back when laying supine or the head doesn’t touch the ground at all. I like that log roll idea but I was in a hurry to secure an airway lol… But then you’d still have to deal with the shoulder bit that there laying on which holds up removing the whole thing.

I’d like to have about 4 sets of gear and practice cutting in different places!

I agree bushy, those superbike/drag bike riders wear shocking protective gear!

[BushyFromOz]

i have been pretty lucky with MX armor as i have been able to cut it all on elastic straps between the shoulder and chest plates, so front come off, sholder pads lay on the ground next to his ears and i have it taken away when we roll em' to get em' on a board.

Tell you the truth, the biggest issues i have had with MX gear has been boots

[Timmy]

With boots if you can undo the clips, open up the boot a bit then run the shears down the fabric side your half way home except for the ankle foot bit which is always hard to remove. To be truthful I’m not a massive fan of removing boots. I find it easier just to leave them on, it offers a pretty good splint, you can do a figure of 8 round the ankles then one above n below, there legs goen no were then. I only remove it if they have altered sensation or they feel wet (bleeding) I find when the hospital runs the plaster cutters down the boot it’s a much safer and effect method. Removing the boot on the track can sometimes cause a shit load of damage and pain!

[Eydawn]

Hmm... might have to do some creative spinal immobilization with these guys! What about a KED type thing (seated restraint) with padding to get them to sit as in-line as possible on the cot?

I'm just going at it from the angle of NOT removing the gear... seems to me you could get some pretty good immobilization with all this padding, just a matter of figuring out how to pad and support around it.

Definitely looks like this gear needs to be revamped with the prehospital care provider in mind though. The theory behind their stuff is great... but if they're planning this stuff as crash protection, shouldn't they take it that one step further to make care AFTER the wreck easier?

I know we've had some similar issues before in the SCA (Rennies on steroids essentially... the folks who actually recreate period-piece armor and rumble in it) and a lot of it involves being very knowledgeable with the equipment and where your wiggle room is. Definitely not an easy extrication!

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[zzyzx]

Since this device looks to be very similar to the HANS device now mandatory in all professional autoracing groups, you might want to consult with medics who have experience working autoracing events.