I just remember it because when I very first started in my career they told me it would be over if I ever restrained a person prone. If you’re in a situation and they fall prone, priority #1 is getting them supine or side lying with as little injury as possible to all parties.
For a long time I thought cops were just uneducated but alas no. I compared notes a few times when officers would come to serve papers from the magistrate and it turns out they’re only supposed to have the person prone long enough to get cuffs on then they’re supposed to transfer to side lying as well (supine would be a no-go with hands cuffed in the back).
Somehow it’s even worse when you actually and specifically know exactly how it’s supposed to be done correctly both in terms of technique and which situations actually necessitate it. I did get certified to teach at the end of last year. How much good I actually do remains to be seen.
As someone who frequently falls and needs help to get up, I know some amount of what people learn in “lifting and handling” training; it’s terrifying how many people will attempt to help me up in a way that’s dangerous as hell (I know someone who had their shoulder dislocated by a supposedly trained person doing a “drag lift”, which is something you should never do). I don’t expect regular people to know this stuff, but I do expect people whose job involves first aid and stuff to at the very least know “I should not attempt this unless I have lifting and handling training”. It’s horrifying to see such ignorance.
However, this is nothing compared to what you describe — the difficulty and danger involved in restraining people (as opposed to helping a cooperative person up) is a wholly different challenge. All the more reason why proper technique is essential.
I just remember it because when I very first started in my career they told me it would be over if I ever restrained a person prone. If you’re in a situation and they fall prone, priority #1 is getting them supine or side lying with as little injury as possible to all parties.
For a long time I thought cops were just uneducated but alas no. I compared notes a few times when officers would come to serve papers from the magistrate and it turns out they’re only supposed to have the person prone long enough to get cuffs on then they’re supposed to transfer to side lying as well (supine would be a no-go with hands cuffed in the back).
Somehow it’s even worse when you actually and specifically know exactly how it’s supposed to be done correctly both in terms of technique and which situations actually necessitate it. I did get certified to teach at the end of last year. How much good I actually do remains to be seen.
As someone who frequently falls and needs help to get up, I know some amount of what people learn in “lifting and handling” training; it’s terrifying how many people will attempt to help me up in a way that’s dangerous as hell (I know someone who had their shoulder dislocated by a supposedly trained person doing a “drag lift”, which is something you should never do). I don’t expect regular people to know this stuff, but I do expect people whose job involves first aid and stuff to at the very least know “I should not attempt this unless I have lifting and handling training”. It’s horrifying to see such ignorance.
However, this is nothing compared to what you describe — the difficulty and danger involved in restraining people (as opposed to helping a cooperative person up) is a wholly different challenge. All the more reason why proper technique is essential.
this sounds like exactly what we should make sure people learn in school, alongside CPR and identifying a stroke and such