Published Article / This study was conducted to ascertain which of two techniques would result in more diagnostic films of patients with possible neck trauma. Twenty individuals were examined at the Radiology Department, Universitas hospital, Bloemfontein. Two exposures were done on each member of the sample: firstly the swimmers projection and secondly the orientation of the patient's arms was reversed. Using specific criteria to standardize evaluation, the films were evaluated by a radiologist. The adapted swimmers projection had better results in 50% of the categories. The swimmers projection was better in 33.3% of the categories. One category for both projections (16.7%) was equal.