Where Should A Person In The Help Place Their Hands

Where Should a Person in the Help Place Their Hands? A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Effective Assisting

Helping someone in need can be a rewarding experience, but it's crucial to prioritize safety for both yourself and the person you're assisting. Knowing where to place your hands is a fundamental aspect of safe and effective helping techniques, significantly impacting the outcome and minimizing the risk of injury. This comprehensive guide will delve into various scenarios, providing clear instructions and emphasizing the importance of proper hand placement.

Understanding the Principles of Safe Assisting

Before we explore specific hand placement techniques, let's establish some fundamental principles:

1. Assess the Situation:

Before you even think about touching the individual, quickly assess the situation. What happened? What is their condition? Are there any immediate dangers? Knowing this will inform your approach and hand placement.

2. Communicate:

Always talk to the person you're helping. Explain what you're going to do and where you'll be placing your hands. This builds trust and minimizes anxiety. If they're unconscious, talk to them calmly and inform them of your actions.

3. Maintain a Stable Base:

Ensure your own stability before assisting. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to lower your center of gravity. This prevents you from losing your balance and potentially causing further harm.

4. Use Proper Body Mechanics:

Avoid twisting or reaching. Keep your back straight and use your leg muscles to lift, not your back. This prevents strain and injury to yourself.

5. Consider the Person's Condition:

Their physical condition greatly influences your hand placement. Are they injured? Do they have any medical conditions? Be mindful of potential pain points and avoid putting pressure on injured areas.

Hand Placement in Specific Scenarios

Now, let's explore hand placement in various scenarios:

1. Assisting Someone to Stand:

• From a Seated Position: Place your hands firmly on their forearms, just above their elbows. Avoid grabbing their wrists or hands as this could cause pain or injury. Help them to stand using your leg muscles to support their weight.
• From a Lying Position: If they're lying on the ground, assess their injuries first. If they're uninjured, kneel beside them and place one hand under their shoulder and the other under their thigh, supporting their body weight evenly as they sit up. Then follow the steps for assisting someone from a seated position.

2. Assisting Someone with Walking:

• Using a Gait Belt: If available, a gait belt should be used. Place your hands firmly on the belt, supporting them but allowing for some freedom of movement. This provides a secure grip without restricting their natural gait.
• Without a Gait Belt: If a gait belt is unavailable, place your hands gently on their forearms, just above the elbows. Maintain a relaxed but firm grip, allowing them to maintain their balance. Be ready to provide support as needed.

3. Assisting Someone Up Stairs:

• Going Up: Place one hand firmly on their waist and the other supporting their forearm. Ensure a strong grip and move together slowly and steadily. Maintain good balance.
• Going Down: The technique is similar, placing one hand on their waist and the other on their forearm, but you may need to adjust your grip to be more supportive as they descend.

4. Assisting Someone Down Stairs:

• Position yourself slightly behind the person, to better control their descent. Place one hand on their waist and the other hand supporting their forearm. Go down the stairs slowly and steadily, ensuring a strong, supportive grip.

5. Assisting an Individual Who Has Fallen:

• Assess the Situation: Before approaching, assess the situation for any immediate dangers (traffic, broken glass etc.). Approach cautiously.
• Check for Injuries: Gently check for injuries before attempting to move them. If there are signs of serious injury, do not move them. Call for emergency services.
• Proper Lifting Techniques: If they are uninjured and capable of moving, help them to a comfortable sitting position and then assist them to stand using the techniques described above. If they cannot move, do not attempt to lift them alone; seek help from others or call emergency services.

6. Assisting Someone with a Wheelchair:

• Transferring from Wheelchair to Bed: Place your hands firmly under their armpits, supporting their weight evenly. Lower them slowly and gently onto the bed, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Transferring from Bed to Wheelchair: The process is reversed; support their armpits, using your leg muscles to assist them upwards into the wheelchair. Use a transfer board if appropriate and available.

7. Providing First Aid:

Hand placement during first aid varies greatly depending on the injury and the specific first-aid procedure. Always follow appropriate first-aid training guidelines. Avoid unnecessary touching.

• Checking for a Pulse: Use two fingers (index and middle finger) to gently palpate the carotid artery in the neck or the radial artery in the wrist.
• Checking Breathing: Observe the chest for rise and fall. Do not obstruct their breathing.

8. Supporting Someone Who is Feeling Faint or Lightheaded:

• Help them sit down or lie down. Support their head and shoulders, preventing them from falling. If they are sitting, gently lower their head between their knees. Ensure that they are safe and comfortable until their symptoms subside.

9. Assisting a Child:

When assisting a child, remember they're smaller and more fragile. Adjust your grip and support accordingly. Use your hands to support their body under their arms and around their torso, rather than grabbing their limbs. Always communicate with them in a calm and reassuring tone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common mistakes can lead to injuries for both the helper and the person being assisted:

• Improper Lifting Techniques: Lifting with your back instead of your legs.
• Insufficient Support: Not providing enough support, leading to falls or injuries.
• Poor Communication: Failing to communicate your intentions before assisting.
• Ignoring Injuries: Attempting to move someone with a potential spinal injury.
• Improper Hand Placement: Grabbing wrists or hands, potentially causing pain or injury.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Effectiveness

Safe and effective assisting requires a combination of proper technique, communication, and awareness. By understanding where to place your hands in different scenarios and following the principles outlined in this guide, you can significantly minimize the risk of injury for both yourself and the person you're helping. Remember, seeking training in first aid and proper lifting techniques will enhance your abilities and confidence in assisting others. Always prioritize safety above all else. When in doubt, seek professional help.