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Victorian Government caretaker period

As the Victorian State election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026, the Victorian Government will assume a Caretaker role from 6pm on 3 November 2026. During the caretaker period, content will only be added to this website in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions. See Guidelines for Caretaker Conventions.

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Sizing a one-piece hard collar

    • Measure the distance from the top of the patient's shoulder to the angle of the jaw with your hand (image 1)
    • On the collar, measure from the bottom of the rigid plastic to the "measuring post". This should correspond to the above measurement (image 2)
    • Check that the collar fits correctly
      • The neck should not be overextended
      • The mouth should not be able to be fully opened (image 3)

    1 Measuring collar size on neck.jpg

    Image 1: Measuring collar size on neck

    Image 2 Checking collar size.jpg

    Image 2: Checking collar size

    Image 3 Appropriately fitting collar.jpg

    Image 3: Appropriately fitting collar