Chris Mason demonstrates his skill in using a simple slide board to quickly and easily transfer from a nursing or hospital bed and alternating air mattress to a wheelchair. Please note the stability of the alternating air mattress (dynamic) as this makes a massive difference in terms of helping to prevent bed falls. Of course Chris has trained himself and built strength in his arms and to be frank is fitter than most able bodied persons I know. The pressure relieving mattress was supplied by his tissue viability nurses following an assessment from his occupational therapists and physiotherapists. They were keen to ensure that the pressure relieving mattress was a true anti decubitus mattress and would help to alleviate pressure ulcers. They required a waterlow score in excess of 22 or very high risk. Chris however pointed out the need of stability and comfort to enable independence at home or independent living. The dynamic mattress that Chris is using is a Squirrel Diamond manufactured by Squirrel Medical Ltd in order to facilitate independent transfer and self movement as well as managed pressure relief against bed ulcers otherwise known as bed sores. Chris has a T7&T8 injury and is a paraplegic, this spinal injury is often helped by organisations such as the national back exchange and stoke mandeville and uses a bed board or slide board to help facilitate transfer.
