Absolutely Correct. You can not immobilize a spine to a flat surface.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared

Dear Editor

Your study states that spinal boards are the gold standard - they are not!. Numerous studies have shown that they do not achieve an acceptable level of immobilization, cause additional discomfort, pain and indeed pressure damage. They should be baned from pre-hospital use, let alone consideration for in-hospital use.

The Gold standard here is the vacuum mattress, an altogether better piece of equipment which has a much superior performance when it comes to spinal immobilization.

Yours Most Faithfully,

Aidan E. Tasker-Lynch, Executive Director, PSEMT.