So What: Are C-Collars on the Path of the Dinosaurs - Part 1 of 2

Routine spinal immobilization via cervical collars and backboards lacks high-quality clinical evidence, originating instead from historical practices by non-medical personnel during World War II. Current medical protocols often prioritize tradition over data, despite the absence of proof that these interventions prevent delayed neurological deterioration in trauma patients. Recent analysis in the *Prehospital Emergency Care* journal highlights that while routine immobilization offers no clear benefit, it introduces significant risks, including increased intracranial pressure from collars and pressure-induced skin breakdown from backboards. These complications can lead to severe secondary outcomes like sepsis in vulnerable patients. Ultimately, the reliance on these standard procedures reflects a failure to demand evidence for established practices, necessitating a critical reevaluation of how emergency responders manage suspected spinal injuries to avoid causing iatrogenic harm.