1. Combine with a Backboard
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

2. Combine with a Backboard
Number of Patient Attendants
Deploy the HILT
Position the HILT
Position the Backboard
Deploy Extenders
Combine with Backboard
Patient Packaging
Grasp Handles
Proper Lifting Mechanics
Lift in Unison and Carry
Options for Two Person Carry
These topics regarding “Combine with a Backboard” will be discussed during this presentation.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

3. Number of Patient Attendants
Minimum of two
Four are preferred
Up to fourteen
At least two patient attendants are needed for this move. As many as fourteen may be used.
The optimal minimum number of attendants is four. This is for the safety of the patient and the attendants.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

4. Deploy the HILT Deploy the HILT with the label down
Deploy the HILT with the label DOWN to keep the handles UP.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

5. Position the HILT Fold or roll up the end
Alternative for larger patient and more attendants
Fold or roll the end of the HILT up to make it a little shorter. This helps prevent part of the HILT from hanging down loosely below the patient and creating a hazard.
As an alternative, if the patient is large and additional patient attendants will be needed, do not fold or roll up the end of the HILT. Use the full length of the HILT to allow additional attendants to lift and carry the patient. Up to 14 attendants can use the HILT at one time to help distribute the patient’s weight.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

6. Position the Backboard
Lay the backboard on top of the HILT
Lay the backboard on top of the HILT. Line up backboard handholds near the extenders that are planned to be deployed.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

7. Deploy Extenders Deploy the desired extenders
Use extenders at least in these areas:
Feet / knees
Chest / head
Deploy at least four extenders. Use one extender on each side of the patient near the patient’s feet/knees. Use one extender on each side of the patient near the patient’s chest/head.
Additional patient attendants allow for additional extenders to be deployed. If four attendants are available, one attendant can position on each side of the patient’s thighs and one attendant can position on each side of the patient’s chest/head.
If additional attendants are available, or needed, additional extenders and handles can be used.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

8. Combine with Backboard
Thread deployed extenders through
handholds on backboard
Thread each deployed extender through the backboard handhold nearest the extender. The HILT is now combined with the backboard.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

9. Patient Packaging Follow local protocol
Use local procedures to backboard and package the patient.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

10. Grasp Handles Determine how high to lift Use the appropriate handles
Determine how high to lift the patient based upon where the patient will need to be carried and delivered. Use the appropriate “low”, “medium”, or “high” lift handles.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

11. Proper Lifting Mechanics
Legs parallel with ground
Back straighter
Head up
Arms straight
Proper lifting mechanics help minimize the likelihood of injury. As much as possible, begin with legs parallel with the ground, maintain a straighter back, keep the head up, and maintain straighter arms.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

12. Lift in Unison and Carry
Carry patient to desired location
CAUTION – The extenders can act as ropes and the patient can swing during the lift. This is easily avoided with good communication and lifting in unison.
Use good communication and lift in unison. Carry the patient to the desired location.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

13. Options for Two Person Carry
Use handles at ends of HILT
Deploy the HILT with the label DOWN to keep the handles UP. Lay the backboard on top of the HILT. Pull each corner handle of the HILT through the nearest backboard handholds at the ends of the backboard.
One patient attendant can position at each end of the backboard. The handles will extend the attendants’ reach and allow for better body mechanics during the lift.
Use good communication and lift in unison. Carry the patient to the desired location.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

14. Options for Two Person Carry
Fold each end
Thread extenders through handholds
on backboard
Deploy the HILT with the label DOWN to keep the handles UP. Fold or roll each end of the HILT up to make it shorter. Deploy extenders at all four corners of the HILT. Lay the backboard on top of the HILT. Pull each extender through the nearest backboard handhold.
Use care to consider balancing the patient’s weight. If the HILT is positioned too close to the head, the patient’s lower body may fall during the lift. Also if the HILT is positioned too close to the feet, the patient’s upper body may fall during the lift.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC

15. Options for Two Person Carry
Lift in unison
Carry patient to desired location
One patient attendant can position at each side of the backboard (two attendants).
Use good communication and lift in unison. Carry the patient to the desired location.
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC
© 2013 HILT – Human Injury-Limiting Tool, LLC