Entrapment, extrication and immobilization.

Management of the trapped casualty is a specialized area of prehospital care. It requires close cooperation between all the emergency services. Specific training courses are being developed in the UK for both rescue and medical terms. When approaching an entrapment incident medical teams must consider their own safety and liaise closely with the paramedical and rescue crews as to the best means of effecting casualty release. A variety of immobilization equipment is available, different equipment being suitable to different situations. The prehospital anaesthetist needs to understand the influence this equipment has on airway management and subsequent anaesthesia.