Gait belts are most effective when used on patients who are able to sit upright, but who need assistance standing and moving to a nearby seat.
If there are any wires or tubes in the way, carefully feed the belt underneath them, so the belt is between the tube/wire and the patient’s clothing.
Feel for the hip bones to confirm the belt is in the right location.
The teeth should also be pointing outwards, away from the patient’s belly, not inwards towards it. Not all gait belts have metal buckles with teeth. Quick-release belts, for instance, often have plastic buckles that snap together.
Ask the patient if they have a side preference—they may have a tender spot on one side of their abdomen, for instance.
If you can’t feed your fingers beneath the belt strap, or if the patient says the belt hurts, it’s too tight and should be loosened a bit. If you can pinch the fabric of the belt strap between your fingers, it’s too loose and should be tightened.
This is especially important if the excess belt strap hangs down to the floor. It could easily become a tripping hazard in this case.
To unbuckle the belt, simultaneously press down on the tabs at the top and bottom of the closed buckle, and pull the 2 buckle components apart at the same time.
You should be able to slide your fingers behind the belt, but not be able to pinch the fabric between your fingers.
