How to Put a Gait Belt on a Patient

A gait belt is a tool used to help patients transfer safely from a sitting position to a standing position. Gait belts are also used to help stabilize patients while walking (during gait) when they have balance deficits or lack the strength to walk on their own. Doctors, physical therapists and other health-care staffers use gait belts to keep patients from falling, as well as to keep the staff member from hurting his back. Gait belts are simple devices made out of fabric or leather that buckle around a patient's waist.

Instructions

• 1

  Straighten the gait belt so there are no knots in it.

• 2

  Wrap the belt around the patient's waist, over his clothes, with the buckle in front. Make sure the belt does not go over a female's breasts.

• 3

  Thread the end of the belt through the buckle. Make sure it is threaded correctly and is secure in the buckle.

• 4

  Tighten the gait belt slowly around the patient's waist. Leave just enough room to get your fingers underneath it. A belt that is too loose can slip upward, causing injury.