EMERGENCY REMOVAL OF FOOTBALL HELMETS

When a football player has a suspected head or neck injury, when and h ow to remove the football helmet become critical issues. Protocols dif fer; however, the National Collegiate Athletic Association guidelines, which state that the helmet should only be removed on the field under very special circumstances, are appropriate. An understanding of the technologically advanced design and tight fit of modem football helmet s will help guide medical personnel through each step of the helmet re moval process.