Guidelines for safe prehospital transportation

Transport in the front seat of the ambulance with the air bags off

Transport in a forward or rear-facing EMS provider's seat

Consider delay of transport and continue on scene care until an alternate vehicle is available

Transport in the EMS provider's seat in a size-appropriate child restraint system or an integrated seat in the EMS provider's seat that is certified by the manufacturer to meet the injury criteria of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Transport on a cot using three horizontal restraints across the child's torso (chest/waist/knees) and one vertical restraint across each of the child's shoulders

Transport the child in a size-appropriate child restraint system that complies with the injury criteria of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards secured appropriately on a cot. If this is not feasible, the following alternatives are recommended:

Transport on a cot, head first, using three horizontal restraints across the child's torso (chest/waist/knees) and one vertical restraint across each of the child's shoulders. If restraints must be removed, they should be re-secured as quickly as possible; consider stopping the ambulance if interventions require restraint removal.

Transport with a size-appropriate spineboard and secure it to the cot, head first, with a tether at the foot to prevent forward movement AND three horizontal restraints across the child's torso (chest/waist/knees) and one vertical restraint across each of the child's shoulders. If this is not feasible, the following alternative is recommended:

Transport with a standard spineboard with padding added to make the device fit the child; secure as noted above.

Transport each as a single patient. If this is not feasible, the following alternative is recommended:

Use space available in a non-emergency mode, driving below the maximum legal speed limit.