© Ferno-Washington, Inc. 234-3346-00 March 2006
7
PRO
Flex
X
®
Series
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.
a complete understanding of the procedures
described in this manual.
2.2 Training
Trainees need to:
follow a training program designed by their
training officer.
read this manual. For additional free users’
manuals, contact your Ferno distributor or Ferno
Customer Relations (page 38).
Operator Skills and Training
practice with the cot before using it in regular
service.
be tested on their understanding of the cot.
record their training information. A sample
training record sheet is provided on page 39.
Untrained operators can cause injury or be
injured. Permit only trained personnel to
operate the cot.
WARNING
!
2.3 Height and Strength Considerations
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.
Bariatric transport requires special operating
procedures. See
Bariatric Transport,
pages 29-31.
Note: Use additional help as needed to lift the weight
of the cot, patient, and equipment (see
Using Additional
Help,
page 24).
