It’s an emergency… get me out of here!

Help is at hand for firefighters and rescue personnel at this years’ Fire Expo in Liverpool with a new and innovative emergency evacuation device.

The sling, called Promove, was launched in November at the Emergency Services Show and is designed for moving and handling incapacitated or disabled, including bariatric, individuals in emergency situations where a traditional hoist and sling cannot be used.

Promove was designed by a disabled person with input from moving and handling specialists in fire and rescue, ambulance and nursing. It will allow an individual to be moved instantly from a confined space without being manhandled and with the least risk to the operator.

It is made from a slippery polyester material and is easily placed beneath an incapacitated person whether lying on the ground, seated in a chair or stuck in a tight corner. When deployed it provides good support, forming a bucket shaped seat, giving a sense of security when moving and handling.

With the use of strategically placed grasping handles to the front and rear, evacuation immediately becomes controlled. Dr Huw Thomas, creator of Promove explains: “The innovative design of the handles allows the sling to be used by two or more operatives, making moving individuals in confined situations an easier and safer task”.

Dr Thomas added: “We are not advocating moving people without hoists; however in reality, emergency and life threatening situations happen where an individual must be moved immediately. Promove is the safest way of evacuating an individual in an emergency situation where a hoist cannot be used.”

The sling can be used on its own for lifting or in combination with a glide sheet and transfer board or glide sheet alone for sliding. To move a bariatric individual it is recommended that a minimum of four operatives is needed, and as many as eight operatives can be employed if space permits, distributing the load between as many individuals as possible.

The Promove will be exhibited on Stand: FR8

For further information and a free trial, please contact Dr Huw Thomas or Dana Thomas by telephone on 01970 820893 or by e-mail huw@promove.uk.com / dana@promove.uk.com.