Published: June 2018. Next review: 2025
A cervical collar is a medical device used to stabilise the neck of a person who has experienced an actual or potential traumatic injury to their cervical spine. There are a range of cervical collars manufactured, from foam (soft) collars to rigid collars.
These principles represent a framework for NSW Ambulance and local health districts to implement the use of foam cervical collars for trauma patients.
Download the principles (PDF 896.4 KB)
Position statement
The Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) and Emergency Care Institute (ECI) advocate using foam cervical collars in the initial management of injured people requiring cervical spine immobilisation being transported by NSW Ambulance and presenting to NSW Health facilities.
This position is supported by:
- State Spinal Cord Injury Service
- Intensive Care NSW
- Spinal surgeons of NSW (Royal North Shore and Prince of Wales Hospitals)
Queensland Ambulance Service and a number of specialist trauma and spinal services in NSW, ACT and QLD have adopted the use of the foam cervical collars.
This change in practice has been supported by the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation and the Spinal Surgeons of NSW.