Safe Management of a Chest Harness

							Safety First                                        Main League Locations                            I dream, therefore I am
The Cerebral Palsy League of                        Head Office - Brisbane
Queensland is committed to your                     55 Oxlade Drive, New Farm, Q 4005
                                                    Tel: 07 3358 8011 Fax: 07 3254 2335
safety.
This chest harness:                                 North Region - Child & Family Support Services
                                                    Unit 9 / 199 Gympie Road, Strathpine, Q 4500
Has been prescribed for the sole use of _________   Tel: 07 3205 9211 Fax: 07 3205 9031
__________________________________________          North Region - Adult Services
On this date _______________________________        20 Turner Avenue, New Farm, Q 4005
                                                    Tel: 07 3358 8037 Fax: 07 3358 8154
To use with________________________________
____________________________________________        South Region - Child & Family Support Services
                                                    Wishart Rotary Cerebral Palsy League Centre
___________________________________________         21 Whitley Street, Mt Gravatt, Q 4122
                                                    Tel: 07 3347 7200 Fax: 07 3347 7211

·   When travelling in a vehicle, this              South Region - Adult Services
    harness MUST be used in                         20 Turner Avenue, New Farm, Q 4005
                                                    Tel: 07 3358 8160 Fax: 07 3358 8154
    conjunction with an RTA approved
    safety system - wheelchair                      Gold Coast Region
    tiedowns & occupant restraint.                  Keebra Park Centre
                                                    55 Ridgeway Avenue, Southport, Q 4215
                                                    Tel: 07 5532 2088 Fax: 07 5591 8825
·   Supervision is recommended.
                                                    South Queensland Country Region
                                                    21-25 Scott Street, Toowoomba, Q 4350
                                                    Tel: 07 4632 7922 Fax: 07 4639 3113

                                                    Wide Bay & Burnett Region
                                                                                                       Safe Use of a
                                                    132 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba, Q 4655
                                                    Tel: 07 4124 8000 Fax: 07 4124 8018               Chest Harness
                                                    Central Queensland Region
                                                    90 Jardine Street, Rockhampton, Q 4700
                                                    Tel: 07 4927 5655 Fax: 07 4927 2667


                                                       The Cerebral Palsy League of
                                                      Queensland provides services for
                                                    people with cerebral palsy and related
                                                        disabilities and their families.
                                                                www.cplqld.org.au
Instructions for Use
Applying the harness
1. Ensure the person is sitting in the best
   position
     (a) on their “bottom bones”, and
     (b) well back in the seat.
                                                     Tips for Safe Use
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2. Ensure the pelvic strap is positioned             There is a risk of the person’s airway
   appropriately                                     becoming obstructed if:
     (a) low on the hips, and
     (b) not across the stomach.                     •   The lower straps become too loose. This may        Maintenance
                                                         allow the harness to ride up near the person’s
3. Fasten the pelvic strap firmly.                       neck.                                              Every time you apply the harness,
4. Ensure the person is sitting so that any          •   The person slides down in their seat, eg. if the   check that:
   lateral supports are in the correct place.            pelvic strap is too loose.
                                                                                                            1. Straps are not caught in wheels.
5. Fasten the harness.
                                                                                                            2. Straps are not frayed or worn. If so, they may
                                                     There is a risk of the person’s                           need to be replaced.
                                                     breathing becoming hindered if:
Checking the harness positioning                                                                            3. Attachment screws are not loose. If so, tighten
                                                     •   The shoulder straps cut across the person’s           screws and replace lost nuts or washers.
1. Ensure the lower edge of the harness is
                                                         neck. This may happen if recommended lateral
   positioned at the bottom of the person’s rib                                                             4. Buckles are not damaged. If so, they may need
                                                         supports are not in place or if the harness is
   cage.                                                                                                       to be replaced.
                                                         not positioned in the middle of the person’s
2. Ensure the harness cannot ride up the                 chest.                                             5. There is no lint in the velcro fastenings. If so,
   person’s chest.                                   •   The harness is done up too tightly, restricting       remove lint or replace velcro.
                                                         chest expansion.
3. Ensure the shoulder straps are fastened firmly.                                                          6. There are no changes in the fit of the harness.
                                                                                                               This may be due to growth spurts, weight loss
4. Ensure you can slide your hand between the
                                                                                                               or gain, or seasonal changes. Harness straps
   person’s chest and the harness.                   Please consult your therapist before                      should be checked especially at these times to
                                                     using any type of harness.                                make sure they are not too loose or too tight.
A chest harness MUST be worn with a
pelvic strap at all times.                           The position of the harness MUST be                    If there is a major change in body size




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                                                     checked after reclining or sitting the                 or the harness appears to be fitting
                                                     person up again.                                       incorrectly, contact your therapist
                                                                                                            immediately.


                                                                                                            Washing and drying the harness
I touch, therefore I am                                                                                     Follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with
                                                                                                            the harness.