How to Assemble a Gait Belt on a Patient

A gait belt is a device used by a caregiver to decrease the incidence of caregiver back injuries and to provide assistance and stability during walking and transferring a patient. The belt is a band of material approximately 1.5 to 4 inches wide and 54 to 60 inches long. Gait belts close with either a metal or plastic buckle. Gait belts are indicated for cooperative people that are able to bear some weight while walking or transferring. Knowing how to properly assemble a gait belt on a patient can improve the safety of the patient and the caregiver.

Things You'll Need

• Gait belt

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Instructions

• 1

  Educate the patient on the purpose and use of the gait belt.

• 2

  Place the gait belt around the patient's waist. Bring the buckle and the other end of the belt to the front of the patient's waist.

• 3

  Thread the belt through the teeth of the metal buckle and then pull the belt through the other two openings to lock it. If the gait belt has a plastic buckle, adjust the fit of the belt to the patient's waist, then snap the two ends of the buckle together like a seatbelt.

• 4

  Assess the tightness of the gait belt. The belt should feel snug, but you should be able to slip your fingers between the belt and the patient's waist.