Efficacy of Improvised Cervical Immobilization Techniques in Remote Settings: A Systematic Review
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Introduction
Cervical spine injuries in wilderness and austere environments present unique challenges due to the lack of commercial immobilization devices and prolonged evacuation times. Improvised cervical collars—made from items such as SAM® splints, rolled towels, or fleece garments—are frequently used in these settings, yet their biomechanical effectiveness and field practicality have not been systematically reviewed. This article synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of improvised cervical immobilization techniques used in remote environments.
Method
We conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) for studies published between January 2000 and March 2025. Inclusion criteria encompassed biomechanical or qualitative evaluations of improvised cervical immobilization methods in human volunteers or cadaveric models, with relevance to wilderness, prehospital, or austere settings. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria.
Results
Findings suggest that improvised collars particularly SAM splints and rolled fleece or towel collars can reduce cervical motion to levels comparable to standard rigid collars in most planes of movement. Spray-foam devices demonstrated even greater stability in cadaveric models. Soft improvised collars consistently outperformed foam commercial collars in both stability and comfort. Improvised methods also showed favorable usability in the field, though their application requires proper training.
Conclusion
Improvised cervical spine immobilization techniques can be biomechanically effective and operationally valuable in remote care contexts. When rigid collars are unavailable, well-applied improvised devices offer a viable alternative and should be included in wilderness medicine education. Further field-based research is warranted to evaluate real-world outcomes.
