Females

[Veneficus]

And your opinion on the specifics of the proposed lift test are? Is 150lbs too much yet? Should it be proportional to body weight?

I would use 150lbs as the absolute upper limit because I know most agencies will give up provider safety for economics.

In the interest of provider safety, I would suggest capping it at 100lbs to the waist. (Not because I think people can't lift 150lbs, but I am aware of the degenerative damage over time and think it is better to overestimate the need for extra resources than to figure out after somebody is hurt that it would have been a good idea.)

 

[9D4]

My EMT class was almost all female. 15 females and 4 males. Our physicals standards were: Lift 125 lbs waist high without partner, 250 with a partner. I thought those were pretty fair. Instructors said that in non-emergency settings, cap it at 250 for 2 providers, call for assistance for more. In emergency, go for 300 together, call for assistance for more than 300.

 

[Brandon O]

Instructors said that in non-emergency settings, cap it at 250 for 2 providers, call for assistance for more. In emergency, go for 300 together, call for assistance for more than 300.

Realistically, this is probably a reasonable rule of thumb. Just remember that it's meant for boosting and loading the stretcher; if you have a gnarly stairchair ahead of you, or possibly even a bed-to-bed slide that looks challenging, that weight may still be doable but could prove sketchy.

If there's a lesson here, it's for everyone to understand the gap between "doable" and "safe," and that impatience is not a good enough reason to ignore it.

 

[mycrofft]

all bariatric calls should get at least 2 extra people (2nd crew, FD, Rescue, etc). I'm 260 lb (and not all muscle). my partners have ranged from 160 lbs to 300 lbs. If we get a 450 lb person on a non-emergency run, we are calling for assistance. They aren't dying, and I am not getting hurt on a non-emergency run.

If we get a 911 call and the person says they are over 450 lbs, that's an automatic rescue dispatch, as well as another BLS if we have them available. Can always cancel them, but if you need them, you will need the help.

male or female, it doesn't matter; if they are above 350, call for help.

'S all good until you're carrying them down the narrow twisty hall or the mobile home steps to the ambulance litter, and it's one person wide.

 

[Jon]

Many of the lift tests I've seen call for supporting 1/2 of a backboard with 250 or 300lbs on it. That's realistic. Many of them also have a component of lifting and moving a first-in bag. The best one also called for 2 minutes of CPR after carrying bag and monitor.

That isn't the same as a stretcher w/ the same weight, though. Off the cuff, a standard MX-Pro Stryker stretcher weighs close to 80lbs empty. A Power-Pro is like 130lbs.

I've had bariatric runs where I've looked at my assist crew and said "this is gonna suck no matter what, but I know we can do it" - that was a 450+ pounder that had to go up a flight of stairs. In the end, though - if you're uncomfortable, don't do it and get more help.

 

[Veneficus]

'S all good until you're carrying them down the narrow twisty hall or the mobile home steps to the ambulance litter, and it's one person wide.

I agree with parasite, at that point it is a rescue.

Been there, done that.

It is not worth the risk to the provider. While altruistic self sacrifice may seem admirable, the fact is these people are chronically ill and have lost significant quality of life and are likely on the way out.

Destroying your health and family for them doesn't serve any good. Yea it sucks, but let's be realistic, who is paying for you and your family when you get hurt being the hero?