EMT Curriculum

3.07.B – Stairchair

Objectives: Demonstrate how to utilize a stairchair

Demonstrate the following actions using the stairchair

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Opening and closing the chair

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Loading the patient and securing them

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Going up and down stairs

- Using any specific features the chair has (such as tracks)

Equipment: Stairchair

Sheet if available

Instructions: Take 5 minutes to explain the stretcher your location is using. Do not take more than 5 minutes before students are working. Make students carry the stairchair up several steps as available at the site (ideals 6-8). This is the riskiest station in the whole course for a mishap so please make sure you use a relatively light person in the seat and you are making sure the students stay safe.

It is permissible to put a manikin in the stairchair if someone is very weak.

Please note the following:

- Students should all open and close the chair. Take the time to have EVERY student do this at least once in this station. - Students should all take turns being the patient as that experience is very valuable so they can empathize with the patient when they show anxiety about being carried down stairs on the device. - DO NOT encourage students to tie a patient’s hands together when they are sound of mind. That is a form of restraint and in some systems requires a physician order. To prevent reaching out encourage the patient to hold the straps or a personal item (purse).

LIFTING AND MOVING (AND STAIRCHAIR IN PARTICULAR) IS THE MOST POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY OF THE COURSE. DO NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO BECOME INJURED WHEN THEY LIFT OR ALLOW THEM TO BE DROPPED WHEN THEY ARE THE PATIENT. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD ROTATE BETWEEN RESCUER AND PATIENT POSITIONS.