HomeMy WebLinkAbout306.003b - Patient Packaging System
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 1 of 7
300 Training and Equipment Manual
SECTION 306.003b PATIENT PACKAGING SYSTEM
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the care and use of the Fresno Fire Department
(FFD or Department) Patient Packaging System.
APPLICATION
The Patient Packaging System is utilized to safely secure a patient into a Stokes litter.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
This section intentionally left blank.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
When securing a patient into the Patient Packaging System, all components should
be used in conjunction with each other; lifesaver victim harness, exterior lashing, and
two pieces of yellow webbing.
PROCESS
1. Place the Victim in a Lifesaver Victim Harness:
a) Pull the drawstring to open the bag and remove the harness
completely out of the bag. Hold the waist snap buckle in your
left hand. The waist loop (yellow) should be next to your wrist.
The “CMC” label should be towards the subject. (See Figure
1.)
Fresno City Fire Department
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 2 of 7
Figure 1
b) Reach around and clip the waist v-ring into the waist snap
buckle. Center the waist attachment point (yellow) to the
subject’s front and tighten the waist belt snugly. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2
c) Pull the leg loops down, between the legs, and to the outside of
the subject’s body.
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 3 of 7
d) Clip the v-rings into the snap buckles of the matching color. Pull
the ends to tighten so the leg loops fit snugly. To prevent the
buckles from slipping, tie an overhand knot at the end of all the
straps. (See Figure 3.)
Figure 3
e) Check the following:
i. V-rings are securely clipped into each snap buckle.
ii. Harness is snug but not pinching or binding.
iii. Buckles are not causing the victim any discomfort.
2. Attaching the Lifesaver Victim Harness to the Stokes Litter:
a) Prior to placing the patient in the Stokes litter, the straps should
be loosened and folded outside the litter rails.
b) Larks foot one yellow piece of webbing around the waist
attachment point on the victim harness.
c) With each end of the yellow webbing, place a round turn and
two half hitches around a rib near the victim’s shoulders where
the rib meets the main frame.
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 4 of 7
d) Larks foot the other yellow piece of webbing around the waist
attachment point on the victim harness.
e) With each end of the yellow webbing, place a round turn and
two half hitches around a rib below the victim’s waist where the
rib meets the main frame. (See Figures 4 and 5.)
Figure 4 Figure 5
3. Securing the Patient with the Exterior Lashing:
a) After the patient has been placed in the victim harness and
secured to the Stokes with the yellow webbing, connect the O-
Rings to the opposing snap hooks, resulting in the web forming
“X-patterns” on the subject’s torso and legs. (See Figures 6 and
7.)
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 5 of 7
Figure 6 Figure 7
b) The straps should be pulled snug through the adjuster buckles.
c) Double check subject comfort and strap placement.
d) Perform a Safety Check on the entire patient package system
before moving/attaching the patient to any rope/aerial system.
4. CMC Patient Tie-in System Installation:
a) Anchor the blue strap at the shoulder by wrapping around the
frame and double passing through the buckle.
b) Mount the snap with the floating ring and blue webbing on the
opposite side at below elbow level.
c) Mount the fixed ring with the blue webbing at about hip level.
d) Mount the second snap with floating ring and blue web at
approximately knee level.
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 6 of 7
e) Remove any twists in the webbing, mount, and adjuster buckle
near the patient’s ankle.
f) Repeat the process working from the opposite side with the
buckle and rings attached to the red webbing.
INFORMATION
The CMC patient tie-in system provides a fast and easy means of safely securing a
subject in a conventional litter. For optimal results, all points should be connected to
the lower litter rail. While the adjuster buckles assembly can be secured to either end
of the litter, to eliminate congestion around the subject’s head, secure the adjuster
assembly at the foot.
1. Inspection:
• Inspect the equipment (lifesaver victim harness, webbing, and
CMC patient tie-in system) after each use and during rope
inspection. Document the inspection on a rope inspection log
located in the apparatus information book.
• When inspecting the equipment, check the webbing for cuts,
worn or frayed areas, broken fibers, soft or hard spots,
discoloration, or melted fibers. Check the stitching for pulled
threads, abrasion, or breaks. Check the hardware for damage,
sharp edges, and improper operation.
• If any of the above is noted, or the equipment has been subject
to shock loads, fall loads, or abuse other than normal use,
remove the equipment from service and advise your Battalion
Chief.
• The service life of equipment depends greatly on the type of use
and environment of use. Because these factors vary greatly, a
precise service life of equipment cannot be provided.
2. Carrying, Maintenance, and Storage:
• During use, carrying, and storage, keep the equipment away
from acids, alkalis, exhaust emissions, rust, and string
chemicals. Do not expose the equipment near flame or in high
temperatures.
Effective Date: January 2020 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 306.003b
Next Revision (2) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 7 of 7
• The patient packaging system will be carried attached to the
Stokes and inside a protective Stokes litter cover.
• If the equipment becomes soiled, it can be washed in cold water
with Dawn detergent acquired from supply. Dry the equipment
out of direct sunlight. Do not dry in an automatic dryer.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Training and Equipment Manual
Section 306.003 Basic Rope Rescue Equipment
Section 306.003a Aerial Stokes Policy