Submerging The Board; Restraining The Casualty - Ferno PXB User Manual

5.4 Submerging the Board

1. Operator 1 places their hands in the nearest strap-fixing holes on
each side of the board.
2. Lean upper body forwards, using body weight with straight arms.
3. Keep arms straight and lean forwards using body weight, this will
sink the PXB (Picture 9). This enables the casualty to be trawled
onto the PXB.
4. Operator 1 communicates with operator 2 in the water to ensure
casualty's body is in alignment with the board and operator 2
brings the casualty onto the board, ensuring the casualty's head
is held in neutral alignment at all times using vice-grip technique,
minimising any head movement.
5. Once the casualty has been brought into position as high up the
board as possible, aiming for casualty's shoulders to be at the
top of the wide black mat, their head will then be in between the
two strips of VELCRO® where the head blocks attach Operator 1
then releases the downward force on the board by bending their
elbows and leaning back, with their hands remaining in the board
hand-holds. This will allow the board to raise up out of the water
and support the casualty on the water surface. (Picture 10)
6. With the board now raised to the surface, Operator 2 removes
their arm between the PXB and the casualty and places it under
the board to stabilise it. (Picture 10)
7. Operator 1 then takes hold of the casualty's head (Picture 11)

5.5 Restraining the casualty

Once the casualty has been manoeuvered on to the board and Operator
1 is holding the casualty's head, the straps can be secured by Operator 2.
1. Apply the green strap first, then blue strap across the casualty's
chest. Ensure the VELCRO® straps are firmly fastened, securing the
casualty to the board. (Picture 12)
2. Operator 2 then takes over hold of the casualty's head by re-
applying the top arm of the vice grip onto the casualty and
reaching with other arm under the board to maintain stability of
the board throughout.
3. Operator 1 aligns the headblocks with the casualty's shoulders,
squeezing the blocks gently against either side of the casualty's
head and set blocks in place simultaneously (ensure there is no
hair underneath the head blocks).
4. Apply the short black VELCRO® strap across the blocks to secure
in place (this may be across the casualty's forehead) (Picture 13)
5. Operator 2 then continues to restrain the casualty by applying the
yellow and black leg cross-straps and finally the red ankle strap,
ensuring that all straps are tightly holding the casualty.
Communicate
Maintain good communication
throughout to ensure the casualty
is correctly positioned and secured
onto the board
12
Using the PXB Board
12
© Ferno (UK) Ltd. | FERNO/MAN/08/17/214/UK
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