Manual stabilization of the adult spine

For manual in-line stabilization of the cervical spine, an assistant grasps the mastoid process with the fingertips, with the occiput in the palms of the hands, standing at the head of the bed beside the intubating clinician. Alternatively, the assistant may stand at the patient's shoulder, holding the mastoid with the palms and the occiput with the fingertips. Either way, the assistant should apply enough force to counter forces applied during laryngoscopy to keep the head and neck in a neutral position, without applying traction.