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I'm a member of the National Ski Patrol, and this year at the OEC refresher we were told (repeatedly) that EMTs no longer use backboards as immobilization devices, so don't be surprised if they ask us to take a patient off it for transfer to a stretcher. We also were told to put a blanket under the patient for easier transfer when possible. Also, we were told to expect NSP to follow suit within a few years.

We weren't, however, told why this change

Why aren't EMTs using long spine boards as immobilization devices anymore? NSP is apparently planning to change, so it's clearly not limited to ambulances.

Also, I couldn't tell if it was an EMT standard of training change or local protocol, so apologies if it's the latter. If it's local, it's going to be local to New York State, in the USA.

^{I'm not sure if emergency care is on-topic here, but I saw nothing indicating it wasn't. Also, just joined this community, so I have no idea what the tags are. Apologies.}

I'm a member of the National Ski Patrol, and this year at the OEC refresher we were told (repeatedly) that EMTs no longer use backboards as immobilization devices, so we shouldn't be surprised if paramedics ask us to take a patient off of one for transfer to a stretcher. We were also told to put a blanket under the patient when possible to make transport easier, and that NSP would likely be switching soon.

We weren't, however, told why this change is happening.

Why aren't EMTs using long spine boards as immobilization devices anymore? NSP is apparently planning to change, so it's clearly not limited to ambulances.

Also, I couldn't tell if it was an EMT standard of training change or local protocol, so apologies if it's the latter. If it's local, it's going to be local to New York State, in the USA.

^{I'm not sure if emergency care is on-topic here, but I saw nothing indicating it wasn't. Also, just joined this community, so I have no idea what the tags are. Apologies.}