Acute cervical spine trauma

Measures aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of cervical spine injuries have proven difficult to institute. Modern head restraints in vehicles are designed to reduce the risk of hyperextension neck injuries in rear-impact crashes. Drivers and passengers should be instructed to make sure that the head restraint is raised so that the top of the restraint is flush with the top of the head, and to make sure that the restraint is tilted or otherwise adjusted forward as far as possible, to reduce the gap between the back of the head and the restraint. With regard to diving accidents, placement of pool depth indicators and warning signs have been associated with reduced cervical spine injuries.