How to Use a KED

The Kendrick Extraction Device, or KED, is designed to completely immobilize the spine while a victim is extracted from a potentially dangerous situation. Emergency medical technicians use this device to stabilize the spine until the victim can be placed on a backboard. A KED is used on stable patients in scenarios that do not pose an immediate threat. In dangerous situations, the victim is manually stabilized while being extracted. A KED is primarily used on victims in a seated position, such as car accident victims. Individuals that are lying down or standing up are immediately secured to a backboard.

Instructions

• 1

  Manually stabilize the head and neck.

• 2

  Test the victim's distal neurological status by asking the individual to move his or her fingers and toes.

• 3

  Apply a cervical collar.

• 4

  Insert the KED between the patient and the seat. Continue to manually stabilize the head as you move the victim forward. The widest part of the KED should be at the level of the victim's torso, and the narrowest part of the KED should be at the level of the victim's neck.

• 5

  Lean the victim back against the KED while continuing to stabilize the head manually.

• 6

  Attach the torso straps by snapping them into the buckles. The straps and buckles are color-coded. When attaching the straps, match the colors.

• 7

  Tighten the straps around the victim's chest.

• 8

  Fasten and tighten the groin straps. If you suspect that the patient has a fractured femur, do not attach these straps.

• 9

  Insert the head cushion between the victim's head and the KED.

• 10

  Fasten and tighten the head straps.

• 11

  Move the victim to a place where he or she can be secured to a long backboard. In order to place the victim in a prone position, the groin straps must be released so that the legs can straighten.