Lifting Made Easier

Currently trending upward are the age of volunteer rescue squad members and the number of obese patients these squads must treat and transport. Mac’s Lift Gate has created the Bariatric Lift Unit to combat the negative effects of these trends.

The hydraulic-powered platform lifts up to 1,300 lbs. and can fit any cot an agency currently uses.

Mathews (VA) Volunteer Rescue Squad President Judy Buis says the squad purchased its first Bariatric Lift Unit in 2014, and has been extremely satisfied with the results. MVRS is located in a rural county and responds to about 1,300 calls per year, and Buis says they use the lift about twice a week.

“The Mac’s Lift Gate units are easy to operate and definitely a back saver,” Buis says.

Buis says the Bariatric Lift Unit has eliminated the concern of back injuries to her staff while lifting patients onto the ambulance.

The unit is flexible, and MVRS has even raised the unit to the level of a home deck to load on patient onto an ambulance, Buis says.

The product is easily stored, and fits well in its truck. The unit is also easily unloadable, and easy to use when needed.

“If a patient is not too heavy, we can load them easily without ever pulling the lift out,” Buis says. “But if the need arises, we can have the unit ready to operate in less than 60 seconds.”

Buis says all the user needs to do is turn on the power switch, pull the unit out, unfold it, lower it and load the patient.

“We are extremely pleased with the Mac’s Lift Gate Bariatric Lift Unit,” Buis says. “We highly recommend this unit. We have demonstrated the unit to many of the EMS agencies in this part of Virginia.”

For more: www.macslift.com.