Patient Packaging

TOPIC: PATIENT PACKAGING

TIME REQUIRED: TWO HOURS

MATERIALS: BLANKETS, STOKES BASKETS, SKED STRETCHER, CARABINERS, WEBBING, ROPE, REEVES SLEEVE, COMMERCIAL BASKET HARNESS

REFERENCES: RESCUE TECHNICIAN, MOSBY

PREPARATION:

MOTIVATION:

Being able to package a patient for safe removal from above or below ground or over rough terrain in a timely and efficient manner may impact on the survivability of the patient. While these skills are learned sometime during fire service training, they are not used often. It is important to remain proficient in the event you are called upon to package a patient.

OBJECTIVE (SPO):

The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of packaging patients for removal from above or below ground through participation in class discussion and practical activities.

OVERVIEW:

Patient Packaging

   * Patient Packaging Devices

   * Vertical Lowering

   * Horizontal Lowering

   * Practical Activities

 

VICTIM REMOVAL

SPO: The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of packaging patients for removal from above or below ground through participation in class discussion and practical activities.

EO 1-1 Demonstrate a knowledge of patient packaging devices that can be used for transport of patients over roughed terrain

EO 1-2 Demonstrate a knowledge of patient packaging techniques for vertical lowering.

EO 1-3 Demonstrate a knowledge of patient packaging techniques for horizontal lowering

EO 1-4 Participate in practical activities to demonstrate patient packaging techniques.

Before beginning the material in this drill, it may be appropriate to review basic knots and rope and knot terminology.

 

I. PATIENT PACKAGING DEVICES (1-1)

NOTE: Instructor should review each skill with students who will have an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency during the practical portion of the session.

A. Stokes Basket

  1. Inspecting the basket

       a. Check the head (wider portion with side strapping closer to the end) of the basket to make sure

           that the weld is intact

       b. Check the foot (narrower portion with side strapping farther from the end) of the basket to

           make sure that the weld is intact

       c. Check the condition of the railing

       d. Check the strapping around the rail to make sure that it is secure and in good condition

       e. Check the wire to make sure that it is flat and will not harm the victim

       f. Check the strapping on the underside to make sure that it is flat

  2. Blanketing

      a. First blanket is laid crossways at the head portion of the basket with about one foot extending

          beyond the top of the basket

      b. The portion that extends beyond the top edge of the basket is folded over so that the folded

          edge is even with the top of the basket (this provides additional cushioning for the head)

      c. The second blanket is placed in the basket lengthwise with about one foot extending beyond the

          bottom of the basket

      d. The corners on the top blanket are folded to a 45-degree angle with the upper corner at the

          edge of the basket rail

       e. After the victim is placed in the basket, the portion of the bottom blanket extending beyond the

           bottom of the basket is folded back to cover the victim’s feet

       f. The two sides of the bottom blanket are folded inward to cover the victim

       g. The two sides of the top blanket are folded inward to cover the victim (check to make sure that

           the blanket does not cover the victim’s face)

  3. Lashing into basket

      a. Requires approximately forty feet of rope or webbing

      b. Find the middle of rope or webbing and form a foot stirrup by making a round turn around the

          victim’s feet, taking one standing part and pulling it over the other standing part, and placing one