Vacuum Cervical Collar (VCC)
The Vacuum Cervical Collar is made with the new patented "Multi-Chamber System" and makes them easy to use: rather than the beads all collecting one side of the device, they are instead distributed equally within the collar. The system allows the beads to occasionally shift slightly vertical. A quick shake will spread them evenly before placing the VCC on the patient.
All Med Tech Sweden vacuum products are X-Ray translucent, and can be X-Rayed without having to remove the device.
INSTRUCTIONS
You do not need to take any cloths or clothes off with the VCC. The VCC works fine with, or without clothes. Make sure the valve on the collar is tightly closed before sucking the air our of the Cervical Collar.
NOTE: You do not need to straighten out the neck on the scene! When the collar is on a vacuum it soft and malleable, and can be wrapped around the neck like a blanket; this allows you to immobilize the patient in the position found.
If you are using the Vacuum Cervical Collar in conjunction with a Vacuum Spine Board, Vacuum Immobilizer, or any other fully-body immobilization device, apply the VCC onto the patient before placing them inside of the immobilization device.
Put the Vacuum Cervical Collar starting under the specific shelves for the jaw, then fold it around the patients neck being careful enough as to avoid moving the patients neck as much as possible. Next, fasten the collar using the attached Velcro.
Attach the provided Med Tech Sweden pump to the valve and begin sucking the air out until the Vacuum Cervical Collar becomes rigid. Keep Pumping until you cannot get any more air out; you can never pump too much, but you can pump too little. WIth the air out, open up the Velcro to readjust it it's fitting around the patient for a snug fit.
The Patients neck is now immobilized. As already mentioned, the collar is X-Ray translucent. This means the patient can be X-Rayed without having to remove the collar or straightening the patients neck.
To Remove The Collar - open the Velcro straps then open the valve slowly to let air back into the collar. You only need to open the valve about four turns. To prevent losing the valve, do not remove the valve nozzle entirely. Removing the valve is never necessary unless you are replacing it.
Cleaning Guidelines
It is very important that you Close The Valve before cleaning it. Always make sure to scrub and rinse off bodily fluid such as blood and mucus with Cold Water before it has dried up. Next you can clean it as usual with normal detergents and hot water. If required, apply disinfectant as per your standard protocol. Finally, hang the collar up to dry.
The collar can be cleaned in a standard washing machine and dryer at 60 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) and use normal detergents, but remember to close the valve and always wash it on cold cycle if blood or other bodily fluids are found on the splint.
The Valve can be removed if it needs separate cleaning. Be sure no to lose it and never wash the collar without the valve fully closed.
Maintenance Information
Regularly verify that the valve is functional and check the valve or valve holder to make sure they are in the right tracks.
