New Bariatric Transport unit being field-tested.

After their third Paramedic in as many months has been placed on disability related to lifting injuries, one city is testing a new Ambulance. Injuries from dealing with bariatric patients are reaching epidemic levels across the US. So in response various transport vehicles have been developed to haul the morbidly obese.

New Bariatric Transport unit

New Bariatric Transport unit

This newest unit is a full eighteen-wheel semi. The trailer containing a host of general EMS related accouterments, along with some special surprises. There is a ramp that extends off the trailer to the ground and specially designed equipment including a forklift paramedics can use to pick up the patients.

Designer Gregg Butler says, “This new unit will prevent career ending injuries to our EMTs and Paramedics. Lifting of Bariatric patients has blown out far too many backs and shoulders. With other special Bariatric ambulances there are still issues with lifting the patient onto a cot and moving that cot into the rig. My system ends any lifting.”

Straps are placed around the patient, then using either the forklift or one of a multitude of block-and tackle-devices are used to lift. Then a specially designed cot is placed under the patient. The cot is then picked up by the forklift or wheeled out to be picked up by the forklift.

“The genius of the design is in using a semi,” Butler explains. “It is not a factor of how large the people are, it is all the contingency equipment. My unit has all kinds of straps, webbing, ropes, cribbing, an electric winch, chains, hooks, a k12 saw, various hand tools, extraction tools (Jaws-Of-Life) and might be needed to pick someone up or make a door wide enough for their exit.”

City officials were initially worried about backlash of the perception of a semi. But after the explanation of needing that space for all the specialized equipment, city officials quickly signed off. A good will PR campaign is also in the works to make sure the public is not offended by the semi.

Check back with CallTheCops to find out how this field-testing goes.

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