© Ferno-Washington, Inc. / 234-3411-02 / September 2016
7
Model 35A-NM
Operator Skills and Training
2.3 Height and Strength Considerations
WARNING
Untrained operators can cause injury or be injured.
Permit only trained personnel to operate the cot.
2 - OPERATOR SKILLS AND TRAINING
2.1 Skills
Operators using the cot need:
●
a working knowledge of emergency patient-handling
procedures.
●
the ability to assist the patient.
2.2 Training
Operator trainees need to:
●
read and understand this manual.
●
be trained on the use of the cot.
●
practice with the cot before using it with a patient.
●
record their training information. A sample training
record sheet is provided on page 30.
When unloading the cot, the foot-end operator must lift
and hold the weight of the cot, patient and equipment high
enough for the wheels to remain off the ground until the
undercarriage legs completely unfold and lock into place.
Supporting this weight requires greater strength from short
operators than from tall operators because short operators
must raise their arms higher in relation to their shoulders.
Be aware that if the ambulance is parked on an uneven
surface, the foot-end operator (and any helpers) may need
to lift the cot higher than normal to allow the legs to unfold
completely and lock.
Note:
Use additional help as needed to lift the weight of
the cot, patient and equipment (see
Using Additional Help,
page 24).
