Ferno 30-NM - Rolling the Cot

© Ferno-Washington, Inc. / 234-3298-02 / May 2018
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Using the Cot
5.5 Rolling the Cot
GENERAL GUIDELINES
● Rolling the cot with a patient on the cot requires a minimum of
two trained operators who are communicating, working together,
and maintaining control of the cot at all times.
● Roll the cot on smooth, unobstructed surfaces whenever possible.
● To cross a low obstacle such as a door sill, lift the cot slightly to
take the weight o the wheels so the wheels roll smoothly over
the obstacle.
● Lift and carry the cot over a high obstacle such as a curb. Do not
apply downward force on one end of the cot in order to raise the
other end of the cot.
● Do not roll the cot sideways. Rolling a cot sideways can increase the
chance for the cot to tip and injure the patient and/or operators.
● Use additional help as needed to safely control the weight of the
patient and cot. See “Using Additional Help” on page 7.
● When rolling over rough terrain, the operators (and helpers) should
grasp the cot with both hands.
ROLLING THE COT
1. Securely fasten the patient restraints around the patient.
2. Both Operators: Place the cot in a rolling position.
3. Both Operators: Position yourselves at the sides (Figure 10) or
ends of the cot, grasp the main frame with both hands, and roll
the cot. Attend to and communicate with the patient.
Note:
● If rolling the cot on a smooth, at surface, the control-end operator
may unfold and use the lead handle and pull the cot.
● If permitted by local protocols, one operator may roll the cot if it is
not carrying a patient.
● Grasp only the cot main frame, not the lead handle, when rolling
on rough surfaces or uneven terrain.
WARNING
Rolling the cot sideways can cause it to tip and injure the
patient or operators. Roll the cot only with the loading
end or control end rst.
NOTICE
Roll the cot downhill control-end rst. If it is not medically
appropriate to do this, roll the cot loading-end rst, but do
the following:
To maintain cot balance while rolling the cot downhill
loading-end rst, the Assisting Operator must exert upward
force on the loading-end frame.
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