LINQ HEIGHT SAFETY CATALOGUE 2022 - Flipbook - Page 34
SUSPENSION TRAUMA STRAP
USER GUIDE
INJURIES FROM FALLING ARE ONLY PART
OF THE DANGERS FACED BY THOSE
WORKING AT HEIGHTS.
Harness suspension presents with similar
symptoms and complications associated with
crush injuries, and the resulting lack of blood
flow to the vital organs leading to orthostatic
intolerance is widely proven to cause death.
Whilst hanging in a harness, the tourniquet
effect of the leg webbing, coupled with the
effect of gravity and an inability to release
the pressure of the webbing on the legs, leads
to a condition known as VENOUS POOLING.
The body and leg muscles are unable or are
severely restricted from pumping blood back
to the heart. When in suspension, a harness
simply restricts blood flow back to the heart
even if the harness has a cradle or sub pelvic
bum strap for the buttocks.
Initial symptoms of orthostatic intolerance
are tingling or numbness in the legs, nausea,
dizziness, sweating, palpitations and confusion.
Fainting occurs next, which, in a harness, will
serve to exacerbate the suspension trauma
by eliminating movement altogether while still
keeping the subject upright. Research has
found that after losing consciousness while
suspended in a harness, brain damage and
death can occur within four to six minutes.1
Even if a climber or worker is rescued alive
in their harness after suffering orthostatic
intolerance, they are still in grave danger due
to the large amount of deoxygenated blood
in their legs that may cause a heart attack
or kidney failure when it returns to the body’s
vital organs. Research by Flora and Holzl found
that of eight rock climbers who were alive after
hanging in a harness for periods of half
an hour to eight hours, all died after they were
rescued, surviving from half an hour
to 11 days. 2
While each individual’s tolerance to suspension
varies, everyone is susceptible. This means that
using a harness designed to enable blood flow
in the event of prolonged suspension
is critical, as is the quick rescue and
recovery of the victim.
The LINQ range of harnesses and lanyards
from ProChoice Safety Gear are specifically
designed to reduce the likelihood of orthostatic
intolerance. Featuring a unique Standing Step
Harness, they eliminate the tourniquet effect
and allow the wearer to stand and stimulate the
muscles that pump blood back to the body’s
vital organs. The resulting increased blood flow
reduces the risk of suspension trauma and
associated dangers.
The Suspension Trauma Standing Step is fitted
as standard equipment to the Tactician and Elite
harnesses and is available as an addition to all
other harnesses in the LINQ range.
1
When suspended after a fall, locate the trauma pack and pull the
zipper to release the trauma strap.
1
2
Once the pack has been released from one side, locate the female
buckle and then insert the male buckle, as shown.
LINQ HEIGHT SAFETY
LINQ HEIGHT SAFETY
ORTHOSTATIC
INTOLERANCE
3
Once the buckles are co-joined, adjust the length of the strap
to a length that will allow you to stand into the strap, to relieve the
pressure of your body on the leg straps of the harness.
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
BRAIN
• Oxygen deprivation of the brain
may lead to fainting and
eventual death.
HEART
• Drop in blood return to the heart.
• Oxygen supply to the brain and
other vital organs is reduced.
LEGS
• Femoral artery compressed
by harness leg straps.
• Skeletal muscle pumps in the
legs are less active or completely
inactive.
• This causes blood to pool
in the victim’s legs.
1. Nelson B. Climbing harnesses. How long can you safely hang from your
harness? (1979) Off Belay Magazine (USA) (August 1979).
2. Flora G and Holzl HR. Fatal and non-fatal accidents involving falls into the
rope (1972) Papers of the Second International Conference of Mountain
Rescue Doctors (Austria) (1972).
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