Proper Use of the KED

The Kendrick Extrication Device (KED) is a one piece extrication tool used by emergency medical personnel to remove patients from vehicles. The KED offers rigid spine support to protect a patient’s spine and neck during movement, and carrying handles which make it easier and more efficient to maneuver the patient from the vehicle.

Indications for Use

• Victims who have been in a vehicle crash need to be moved as carefully as possible to prevent further injury. The KED design allows the patient’s spine to be immobilized by rigid support. Vehicular accidents offer the mechanism for causing spinal injury, usually to the cervical spine in the neck, caused by whiplash or traumatic force. Moving patients from the vehicle to a long spinal board, while keeping the spine as protected as possible, is preferable over moving a patient without extra spinal precaution.

  Consider using a KED if your patient is stable enough to withstand the time required to use the device. Ensure your patient has a patent airway, pulse and respitory rate before using the KED. If imminent injuries or threats to your patient’s life are present, such as uncontrolled bleeding, absence of breathing or pulse, use rapid extrication techniques instead.

Proper Application

• Determine the position of your patient when considering whether or not to use a KED. The KED should be used on a patient who is in a sitting position.

  Have your partner hold manual cervical spine immobilization on the patient while you prepare the KED by unhooking the straps and unfolding the device. With assistance, move the patient slightly forward and place the KED behind her. Gently place the patient back against the KED. Ensure your partner maintains inline cervical spine immobilization at all times during movement, and once a C-collar has been placed, as well.

  Bring the flaps of the KED beneath the patient’s armpits. Secure the middle strap. Bring each groin strap beneath your patient’s buttocks and up toward the inner thighs. Pull the strap up and over the thighs, working each strap in toward the groin and securing in the clips at the hip. Tighten the groin straps until snug, but not too tight. These straps keep the KED in place during lifting of the patient, and need to be snug enough to secure the KED to the patient.

  Bring the head flaps around the sides of your patient’s head. Fill any gaps between the back of the patient’s head and the KED with a towel. Secure the head straps on both forehead and chin.

  Secure the top strap across the patient’s chest. Double check each strap for security and tightness before lifting the patient. The KED has four handles to allow as many rescuers to remove the patient from the vehicle. Utilize one person for each strap to prevent dropping the patient. Open the groin straps by unhooking the buckles before lowering the patient’s legs onto a backboard to prevent groin injury from the straps.