POWERFlexx
™
© Ferno-Washington, Inc. 234-3310-01 May 2005
27
Using the Cot
7.5 Rolling the Cot
GENERAL GUIDELINES
•
Rolling the cot with a patient on it requires a
minimum of two trained operators
working
together
.
•
Rolling the cot in a loading attitude can increase
the chance for the cot to tip. Do not roll the cot at
its full height - roll the cot only when the main
frame is level. See
Cot Height
, page 10.
•
Roll the cot on smooth, unobstructed surfaces
whenever possible.
•
To cross a low obstacle, lift the cot slightly to
take the weight off the wheels so the wheels roll
smoothly over the obstacle.
•
Avoid high obstacles (such as curbs) whenever
possible. Carry the cot over a high obstacle when
the obstacle cannot be avoided.
•
Use help as needed to safely control the weight
of the patient and cot (see
Using Additional
Help,
page 28).
ROLLING THE COT
1. Securely fasten the restraints around the patient.
2.
Both Operators:
Place the cot at a rolling height.
See
Cot Height,
page 10.
3.
Control Operator:
Stand at the side of the cot and
grasp the main frame (Figure 32) or stand at the
foot end of the cot and grasp the lead handle
(Figure 33). Pull the cot forward.
4.
Assisting Operator:
Stand at the head end (Figure
32) or side of the cot (Figure 33) and grasp the
main frame. Assist rolling and steering the cot.
Important
Roll the cot downhill foot-end first. If it is not
medically appropriate to do this, roll the cot
head-end first, but do the following:
To maintain cot balance while rolling it downhill
head-end first, the assisting operator must
exert upward force on the main frame.
Rolling the cot when it is in loading attitude
can cause it to tip. Roll the cot only when
the main frame is level.
WARNING
!
Important
If the load (patient and equipment) exceeds the
Load Limit, the automatic safety bleed-down
system will allow the cot to settle to its lowest
position. If this occurs, roll the cot in its folded
position.
Figure 33 - Rolling the Cot
Control Operator
Assisting Operator
Figure 32 - Rolling the Cot
Control
Operator
Assisting
Operator
