Restraints

[Tristan]

What do you use when a patient suddenly starts fighting and needs to be restrained?

I've seen some use gauze, others use triangular bandages, and some actually have leather cuffs on board.

[AnthonyM83]

If they require restraint for medical reasons, our private ambulance uses soft cloth restraints tied to main frame of gurney. Kerlix and the like are not allowed due to concern of cutting off circulation. The FD can use leather restraints. No chemical restraints. No backboard sandwiches.

PD will respond if necessary, but they are often hesitant to use force because they're not medical professionals and often question legality of restraining them. OR they come on-scene and treat them like suspects, slamming them on the ground, using pepper spray, carotid chokes, or closed fist punches.

[dahlio]

Using good ol triangular bandages, right down to the handles of the cot. They are wide enough to spread the force equally, so you're not cutting off circulation. It takes a lot of strength to rip through a cravat.

[riskynremtp]

RSI :twisted: :wink:

[JPINFV]

Leather wrist restraints with nylon leg restraints was what my company carried. The reality is, though [since it wasn't included], you better have a darn good reason to restrain. If you aren't transporting under implied consent [be it a psych, medical, or trauma condition, or be it a prisoner], then you probably don't have the legal ability to restrain them.

[akflightmedic]

Who carries restraints??

ANd who has time for RSI...all the set up and stuff??

I just take a big ol country dose of Haldol and stab em in the arse!

[EMT007]

We carry soft (cloth) restraints and just four-point the patient to the frame of our gurney. Just a few days ago, I had to restrain an ALOC football player (5'9", 250) who was extremely combative. We had about 5 firefighters and EMTs and 2 cops there trying to hold this guy down long enough to restrain him - we had handcuffs going in addition to the soft restraints and this guy was still fighting all the way to the ER.

[Richard B the EMT]

If, during a transport, the patient goes off, first, get out of the way of the patient, as in, stop the vehicle and bail (take the keys with you!), and use your portable 2 way radios to request the LEOs, FORTHWITH/STAT!

If you are in a municipal ambulance, as I am, let the patient destroy the vehicle, as when the LEOs get there, the patient will be a little tired from doing the destruction, and won't be as big a problem to the LEOs, plus, the taxpayers will give you a new ambulance, or at least another one. The taxpayers are not authorized to give you and your partner a new body to live in.

As has been mentioned, the LEOs are trained in how to take down an uncooperative person, with as little damage as possible to both the patient and themselves. Let them do it. When they cuff the individual, they have the person in "protective custody".

[Dustdevil]

What do you use when a patient suddenly starts fighting and needs to be restrained?

Let's be very clear about this. There is a difference between struggling, resisting, and fighting.

Those who struggle and resist get restrained.

Those who want to fight get knocked the fark out very quickly.

[firespec35]

Lets see I've done Kling, Triangle bandages, cloth tape and pillowcases the thing that matters most is if you can get them in a 1 arm up 1 down position that is a little more effective than both arms to the cot rails to me.