Lifting device needed for man in Spain
(posted by Paula Allchin)
I have had a request for a British gentleman (former electronics engineer) who has a muscle wasting disease and lives on his own in Spain. If he falls over he is unable to get up. He can roll onto his front from his back but finds getting into a sitting position from lying virtually impossible. He contacted Mangar about their Camel pneumatic lifting system but this lifts up to a height of 56cm and this is not high enough for him to then be able to stand. (his toilet is 61cm and this he can manage). Mangar said that adding more sections to their device made it unstable and suggested he contact us!
He is 5’11 and average or below average weight. If anyone can suggest anything please get back to me p.allchin@remap.org.uk
If we were able to come up with a solution remotely, he would be willing to pay delivery costs or has regular visitors from the UK (some driving over).
Thank you
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Hi,
I have an idea that may prove useful but it needs designing. If it would prove useful please let me know and I can design it.
The big problem is where it is going to be needed. If it is in a bungalow it can be accessible by cords reaching on the floor of the whole house attached to the gadget that could be pulled into the right position.
The gadget itself would be basically an inflatable arm chair, deflated on receipt, thus flat on the floor. By rolling over to get onto it, with his bottom is placed on the seat area with his back over the chair back it can be inflated by means of a remote controlled mains switch controlling a pump made from a vacuum cleaner that can blow.
With the weight on the seat and back the arms would inflate first to prevent rolling off then the back and eventually the seat, lifting him about 70 cm above the floor. The next problem is getting his lower legs vertical to the floor so that he can stand up.
The base of the “balloon” would need to be flat, as a baloon tries to be a globe this would need to be rigid.
I visualise this but only by making the inflatable armchair and trying it out can it be certain to work.
The other alternative would be a mobile phone that could call for help from a neighbour.
Your comments would be appreciated.
Good luck,
Dick Lucy
Herefordshire REMAP member
Assuming he can move around on the floor to reach his lifting device then a ceiling hoist with a shortened helicopter rescue strop should work. http://www.smhc.co.uk/objects_item.asp?item_id=32862 shows the type. It is a broad semi rigid belt designed to be used by unskilled but ambulant casualties when being winched into helicopters. There is a diagram in that picture – the two ends are connected to the winch line. You pull the strop over your head with the belt at the back, pull the restraining loop towards you and put both arms by your side. Press a button to activate the winch and you get winched up securely ending up in a slightly backwards leaning attitude. If the winch is stopped just before feet leave contact with the ground he should be able to lean forward and balance. If not he isn’t going to fall. The strop is designed (and proven) to be impossible to hang yourself in by accident and, unless you raise both arms above you head, impossible to fall out of.