Posted: 10/07/2011
Bariatric Rescue Workshop - 22 & 23 Sept
Bariatric casualty rescue and transport is becoming an ever increasing feature for the blue light services. Outreach Rescue has been approached by several organisations and has, in consultation with front line responders with experience of many of these incidents, developed a two day workshop / training programme to be held on 22nd / 23rd September 2011.
Categories: Casualty Management / Technical knowledge for Middle managers
It is clearly evident that the standard casualty handling and movement systems are not suitable for bariatric casualties. Care of the casualty, together with the health and safety of the responders must be the main concern of any recovery team. The specific requirements of this type of job can make all of these more difficult than usual necessitating careful planning and a coordinated response.
Bariatric rescue is not a high tech operation. In many ways it may involve less “standard” casualty rescue equipment than other types of rescue, the main requirement often being manpower to move the casualty, and, equally importantly, space in which to do the moving.
Physical limitations of the location of the casualty will drive the design of the recovery; there can be no standard off the shelf solution. Case studies will be used on the course and will help develop understanding of the types of problems, solutions and innovations learned from real situations with real outcomes. Scenarios using stairways, corridors, bathrooms and other typical locations will be used throughout the course.
We will look at basic building construction calculations; there are many instances, evidenced by press photographs and incidents reports, where stairways, roofs and floors were loaded beyond design intention. Equipment to shore and strengthen will be utilised as appropriate on the course.
Lifting aids are developing all the time and a range of sheets, stretchers and other equipment will be available for course members to use and experience.
Lifting and lowering systems can vary from simple manpower to more complex rope safety or mechanical methods. Aerial platforms, scaffolds and other inclined plane options are all examined and discussed within the programme.
As with all rescues, the right balance must be struck with regards to the needs of the casualty, the time available, the skills of the team and the physical constraints of the situation. Multidisciplinary working is usually needed Ambulance Staff, Fire Service, USAR team and Police have all been involved in some recent incidents.
More work needs to be done in developing awareness and a repertoire of response skills to deal with this type of incident. We hope to able to contribute to this process through this and other future workshop and would welcome attendance and contribution from all sectors.
Please call Outreach Rescue for further details.
