Instructions for Using Med Sled
When using the Med Sled Evacuation Sled to transport humans, every precaution should be used to secure the person to the sled properly ensuring they remain on the sled during transport. The directions below outline the proper way of using and securing a patient to the sled.
- When transporting a patient from a hospital bed, lock wheels of bed.
- Pull sheets from both sides and cover patient in bedding. Include pillows for head.
- Unroll sled and approach patient's upper body.
a. If sled begins to roll back up, fasten or tighten the foot cross strap.
- Put patient on sled.
a. Roll Patient on their side away from door and slide Med Sled Evac Sled under head and shoulders then slide remaining sled under buttocks and legs.
b. Make sure sled is completely on the bed’s mattress.
c. Roll patient back onto sled and slide bedding and patient to middle of sled.
d. Add any external devices (IV bags, oxygen, etc.) between patient’s legs and along sides.
e. Secure patient to sled by fastening all three cross straps. Tighten snugly.
f. Ensure ankle strap is tightened until sides meet foot pad.
- Foot loop strap should be used at all times.
a. Strap should be above patient’s feet from cross strap to foot pad.
b. Cross strap should be connected and tight.
c. Tighten foot loop strap until foot pad touches sled sides.
- Taking sled off bed:
a. If power exists, lower bed to lowest position.
b. For non-attached mattresses you can grab entire mattress at foot end and rotate mattress toward door.
i. Make sure sled is in middle of mattress.
ii. Standing on inside of mattress, guide sled down mattress in a 'slide' fashion.
c. For attached mattresses, tables or gurneys, spin sled so the foot of sled is extended off the end side of mattress toward the door.
i. Position people on each side, holding perimeter tether near head of evacuee.
ii. Push foot end to floor. As sled slides off mattress, use a single knee or leg drop to lower head of sled to the floor.
- Grab end strap and pull toward door. The Med Sled® Evac Sled will easily slide down mattress to floor.
- One or Two employees will pull patient toward emergency exit from the foot strap.
- Open exit door and pull patient to top of steps feet first.
a. Patient should be pulled over the first step no further than the knees.
- Approach head of sled and secure large spring hook (carabineer) to the OUTSIDE railing bracket connected to wall. Connect spring hook to railing bracket. Do not hook to railing below bracket as hook will slide down with patient. Firmly grab loose tether and take out slack, making sure the tether is wrapped once completely around spring hook.
a. Employee on lower landing is now ready to pull foot strap.
b. Upper landing employee lets out tether as the sledding action lowers patient. The spring hook provides a friction breaking system.
- At bottom landing upper employee unhooks spring hook and walks it to lower landing while taking up tether slack.
a. Both employees turn patient on landing to repeat process.
