Kendrick Extrication Device

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Diagram of a Kendrick Extrication Device
Diagram of a Kendrick Extrication Device

The Kendrick Extrication Device (KED) is a device that is used in vehicle extrication to remove a patient from a motor vehicle. A KED is generally only used on stable patients; unstable patients are extricated with rapid extrication techniques without applying a KED.

A KED is used in conjunction with a cervical collar to help immobilize a patient's head, neck and spine in the normal anatomical position (neutral position). This position helps prevent additional injuries to these regions during vehicle extrication.

A KED wraps a person's head, back and torso in a semi-rigid brace, immobilizing the head, neck and spine. Typically there are two head straps, three torso straps, and two legs straps which are used to adequately secure the KED to the patient. Unlike a back board, the KED uses a series of wooden or polymer bars in a nylon jacket, allowing the responders to immobilize the patent's spine and neck, and remove them from the vehicle/confined space.

Below are the steps of using the KED to extract a patient from a vehicle -- it is assumed that all pre-extraction procedures have been completed, such as stabilizing the patient, removing any obstacles such as the steering column, etc.

  1. Secure patient's neck using a cervical collar.
  2. While manually immobilizing the patient's neck, the patient is helped forward, and the KED is slid in behind the patient.
  3. The arms of the KED are then pulled up into the patient's armpits.
  4. The straps of the KED are then secured in a specific order. Since this order can be hard to remember, the mnemonic, "My Baby Looks Hot Tonight", is used. The order is: Middle strap, Bottom strap, Leg straps, Head straps, Top strap. The KED straps are color-coded for this order; green for the top strap, yellow for the middle strap, red for the bottom strap, and black for the leg straps.
  5. The area between the head and the KED is then padded, minimizing any movement.
  6. Patient is then extracted from the vehicle, and secured to a backboard, keeping the KED on the patient. Leg straps are released to allow legs to be secured to the backboard.

KEDs can also be used to fully immobilize pediatric patients.

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