EMS field skills

How to do a rapid extrication

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

EMS (NREMT)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Rapid extrication trades some spinal protection for speed when the patient or scene cannot wait.

Step by step

  1. Indications

    Unsafe scene, unstable patient, or blocking access to a more critical patient. [1]

  2. Manual stabilization

    Hold the head in line. [1]

  3. Collar

    If time allows. [1]

  4. Rotate and lower

    Team rotates the patient and lowers them onto a board or stretcher as a unit. [1]

  5. Move

    Slide along the board with coordinated counts. [1]

  6. Reassess

    ABCs and spinal checks. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic)
  2. National EMS Education Standards (2021)

Facts and steps follow NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic); National EMS Education Standards (2021). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.