Head-and-neck immobilization devices and related methods

A method of making a head-and-neck immobilization device, comprising:

• sizing and shaping a yoke sized to contact a back and shoulders of a person;
• securing straps to the yoke such that the straps extend from the yoke, the straps located and configured to secure the yoke to the person's torso;
• connecting each of two head immobilization pads to the yoke by a selectively rotatable, selectively fixed, connection, the two head immobilization pads being sized and shaped to respectively contact opposing sides of the person's head;
• and
• configuring each of the two head immobilization pads and each selectively rotatable, selectively fixed connection such that a majority of the person's head remains unobstructed by the head-and-neck immobilization device, and the two head immobilization pads are secured to one another only indirectly from the selectively rotatable, selectively fixed connections through the yoke, when the two head immobilization pads respectively contact the opposing sides of the person's head and are rigidly secured in place to immobilize the person's neck and head.

A method of using a head-and-neck immobilization device, comprising:

• contacting a yoke to a person's back and shoulders;
• securing straps extending from the yoke around the person's torso to secure the yoke to the person's torso;
• respectively contacting two head immobilization pads to opposing sides of the person's head, each of the two head immobilization pads connected to the yoke by a selectively rotatable, selectively fixed, connection, and rendering the selectively rotatable, selectively fixed, connection rigid to immobilize the person's head and neck;
• and
• leaving a majority of the person's head unobstructed by the head-and-neck immobilization device, and leaving the two head immobilization pads secured to one another only indirectly from the selectively rotatable, selectively fixed connections through the yoke, when the two head immobilization pads contact the two opposing sides of the person's head and are rigidly secured in place to immobilize the person's neck and head.