The Hats Off Device

The Hats Off Device

The Hats Off First Response Kit is intended for use by emergency medical and rescue personnel suitably trained in the techniques of inline upper spine and neck immobilisation.

Standard procedures for the emergency removal of a helmet must be applied.

Using Hats Off

Check helmet for structural damage indicating possible head injuries.

DO NOT DEPLOY HATS OFF IF YOU SUSPECT AN UNDERLYING HEAD INJURY.

Remove casualty's glasses if worn.

Undo helmet chin strap.

Place the Hats Off insertion tool on the outside of the helmet at the top centre point to establish how far to insert the tool to reach the top centre of the casualty's head.

Gently take the weight of the helmet by the chinguard to create a gap at the casualty's forehead sufficient to allow the Hats Off device to be inserted. The use of a lubricant gel, such as KY, may help insertion. Push the Hats Off insertion tool into the helmet until located on the top of the casualty's head.

Attach inflation bulb to the connector on the Hats Off device and start to inflate the airbag.

Gently guide the helmet past the casualty's nose, keeping the airways clear and maintaining manual stabilisation of the cervical spine whilst removing the helmet safely from the head.

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