Obesity Makes Way for a New Product Made in Canada, BEAR-iatrics to Restrain and Move Overweight Patients Inside Ambulances–No Special Equipment Needed

We have all heard or read the stories about those who are obese having to wait for special equipment at times to move them either during an ambulance ride or elsewhere and now this blanket type of product makes any cot one that can handle an overweight patient. It is called the Bariatric Equalizing Abdominal Restraint and wraps around the patient to secure.

This certainly looks to save money versus special equipment in to move patients. BD

ONTARIO — Obesity has become a major issue in the United States and an increasing problem for emergency medical personnel charged with transporting people of large size with existing equipment. Thus the idea for an abdominal restraint was born and a new business started in Ontario.
The Bariatric Equalizing Abdominal Restraint was developed by Keith and Chris Ishida, Ontario, after Keith Ishida, a paramedic with Treasure Valley Paramedics was dispatched to a call that required the transfer of an obese, or bariatric, patient. As the patient was being moved, their abdominal mass began to roll off the cot, Keith Ishida said, and quick thinking by his partner and other staff members brought the situation under control.

BEAR is a strong, light-weight mesh fabric that is ultraviolet light and chemical resistant and wraps around the patients and secures them to any regular gurney, cot or backboard.
“Our device will make any cot a BEAR-iatrics cot,” Keith Ishida said.

http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2011/09/25/news/doc4e7eb8a419551737909471.txt