Slow Down and Dust off Your Lifting Bags
Being crushed or trapped under an immovable object is a primordial human fear. Arriving on a scene to find this type of entrapment can instantly test the emotional control of even the most seasoned first responder. Naturally, we want to immediately release our victim. We imagine their anxiety, pain and sense of doom, especially if they are conscious. Often, calming oneself can be the key to helping the trapped person and our fellow rescuers.
Take Some Time
Slowing down and working methodically in these situations is important for many reasons. Scene safety is number one. Certainly, as first responders we assume risks to save lives: calculated risks, prudent risks. Jumping into a scene without a proper size-up can be detrimental to the operation and potentially harmful for all involved. Remember, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Taking time to determine the stability of the object and the potential for movement is top priority.
Slow and Controlled Lifting
Medically speaking, slow and controlled lifting is crucial for combating crush injury syndrome, CIS. Even in short term entrapments without CIS, severe internal or external bleeding may occur once the pressure is relieved. Is medical intervention staged and ready for action? The small amount of time needed to assemble a high pressure lifting bag system allows for all of this to occur.
Slow and controlled lifting is crucial for combating crush injury syndrome.
No Spreader Discussion
I’m not here to continue the argument for or against lifting with hydraulic spreaders. Your tool box of knowledge should include multiple options. The increased use of battery-driven cordless tools and their obvious conveniences has led more to consider using spreaders for lifting. However, we must take the time to evaluate risk versus reward.
Advantages of Lifting Bags
High pressure lifting bags can offer many advantages.
- Most systems utilize a minimum of 16 ft/ 5m supply hoses. This allows the operator to be away from the load and have a good view of the object being lifted, not to mention it is safer.
- Slow and controlled lifting is an obvious positive. Even a skilled operator can struggle with hydraulic tool controls when flooded with adrenaline and trying to act quickly. Very precise, micro movements can be made easily with today’s lifting bag controllers.
- The larger ground footprint and contact point of lifting bags on the load greatly increases the stability of the lift. This is especially the case on soft or irregular surfaces and holds true for the lifting base as well as the object being moved. High pressure bags will conform to the shape of the contact point.
- Lifting bags are almost silent, one less noise adding to the chaos of a scene. Communication between rescuers and with the patient are crucial pieces for success and safety. Also, “listening” to the load. Shifting loads and structural failures can be often detected through sound before they can be seen.
The hose length allows you to stay away from the load.
Learn your Lifting Bag System
Some will say that lifting bag systems waste valuable time during setup. Possibly that is due to a lack of practice. As with anything we do as rescuers, training is the key, repetition is learning. I have mentioned the cliché in previous blogs; “Do not train until you get it right, Train until you do not get it wrong.”
Elementary Practice
Practice both the setup and operation. One of the easiest and best drills I’ve seen can be done anywhere, even indoors. The challenge of lifting of even lightweight objects with cups of water on top, with multiple bags and no spillage, is so elementary but can greatly enhance the skills needed for controlled lifting.
Lifting a glass of water with a 12-bar Holmatro lifting bag system: Ultimate control!
Storage
Storing lifting bag systems so they are easily accessible and keeping the components together is important. Although not frequently used, when you need them, you need them NOW. That vent saw, fan and roll of hose you have piled on top usually have much less urgency.
Holmatro lifting bags can be easily pulled from the truck.
Dust off Your Lifting Bags
I urge all of you to go out and dust off those high pressure lifting bag systems. Give them a good inspection. Help the new person become familiar with the setup and operation. Most of all, practice with them regularly like any other tool in your toolbox.
As usual I welcome your feedback and any questions.
Jason Bell
Product Coordinator Holmatro USA