Moving a fallen person in a restricted space using  slide sheets

If a person has fallen in an area where a hoist cannot be used (for example, between a toilet and a wall), the preferred option is to slide them to an area where you can use a hoist. 

For this technique, you need at least two staff members and two slide sheets. Sole staff working in the community may need to call an ambulance. 

1. Assess environment and safety for you, then the person.

2. If the person cannot get up, use two slide sheets, positioned under knees or in small of back depending on how they have fallen. Or you can roll them in the usual way – ensure the slide sheets are under the hips, but do not worry if you cannot get under their shoulders as well 

3. With two staff members on their hands and knees, or with one knee up, move the person onto the top sheet by sitting back onto your heels. Keep your arms straight and use the momentum of sitting back onto your heels to move the person – it usually takes a few small manoeuvres to straighten the person if they need to come through a doorway 

4. Move the person far enough out so they are in a space large enough to be hoisted 

5. Where possible, a third person should look after the person's head – the two staff members moving the person must work at the speed with which this third peson can safely move 

6. Be aware that the person's elbows and feet are at risk of being knocked during this procedure 

7. When the person is stable, hoist them to a bed or trolley