Training Tuesday: How to Use a Hoist and Sling (and How Not To)
Part of our weekly series for anyone willing to learn — family carers, new starters, or anyone who's ever stood looking at a tangle of canvas straps and a metal frame wondering where on earth to begin.
Week one: How to Use a Slide Sheet (and How Not To)
Week two: How to Use a Hoist and Sling (and How Not To)
Week Three: How to Identify Pressure Sores (and What to Avoid)
Before We Start
This is not a substitute for proper manual handling training. If you are caring for someone at home and have never been shown how to use a hoist in person, please ask us, or ask the community occupational therapy team, for a proper hands-on demonstration before you try this unsupervised. Hoists are powerful pieces of machinery. Used right, they save backs and preserve dignity. Used wrong, they are incredibly dangerous.
What this post will do is demystify the equipment so that when someone does show you, the mechanics actually make sense. And we will flag the mistakes we see most often, because almost all hoist-related incidents come down to a handful of very avoidable errors.
What a Hoist and Sling Actually Is
A hoist is a mechanical lifting device — either a mobile metal frame on wheels, or a motor attached to a ceiling track.
The sling is the fabric hammock that actually holds the person. It attaches to the hoist via loops or clips onto a spreader bar. The machine does the heavy lifting, but the sling dictates how safe and comfortable that lift is going to be.
That's the core system. The machine provides the power; the sling provides the support.
What It's For
Hoists and slings are used for:
Non-weight-bearing transfers — moving someone from a bed to a chair, or a chair to a commode, when they cannot stand or assist with the move themselves.
Floor retrievals — safely lifting someone back into bed or a chair after a fall (provided they are uninjured).
Complete lifting support — taking over entirely when slide sheets (which we covered last week) are no longer sufficient because the person cannot assist with the movement.
They are not for transporting someone long distances down hallways (that’s what wheelchairs are for), and they are not a quick fix if you’re just in a hurry.
How to Use One — The Basics
Get the person's consent and explain what's happening. Being hoisted can feel very vulnerable. Every single time, even if you’ve done it a hundred times with the same person, talk them through it. "We're going to tilt you back slightly now," or "You're going to feel the lift start now."
Check your equipment. Is the hoist battery charged? Are you using the exact sling prescribed for this person? Check the fabric for frays and the stitching on the loops. If a sling looks damaged, do not use it.
Fit the sling correctly. This usually involves rolling the person gently onto their side (often using a slide sheet), tucking the folded sling down their back, rolling them back over, and pulling it through. The bottom of the sling should sit right at the base of the spine, and the leg sections should scoop smoothly under the thighs without twisting.
Attach and lift in stages. Bring the hoist over, lower the spreader bar, and attach the loops securely. Pause. Apply just enough tension to take the slack out of the straps. Pause again. Double-check that no fabric is pinching and all loops are secure before you actually lift them clear of the surface.
Steer the hoist, not the person. Once they are suspended, only lift them as high as necessary to clear the bed or chair. When moving a mobile hoist, push the machine itself — never push or pull the suspended person to change direction.
What NOT to Do
Don't do it alone if two people are needed. Most hoisting is a two-person job — one to operate the machine, one to guide the person and ensure their limbs are safe. If your care plan says two carers, that's not a suggestion.
Don't use the wrong size or type of sling. Slings are prescribed specifically based on a person's weight, height, and physical tone. A sling that is too big poses a severe fall risk; one that is too small will dig in and cause immense pain.
Don't guess the loop configuration. Slings have multiple coloured loops to adjust the angle of the person sitting in it (e.g., shorter shoulder loops for a more upright position). Always use the exact configuration dictated in their moving and handling plan.
Don't leave the sling under them permanently. Unless it is specifically designed and prescribed as an "in-situ" breathable sling, leaving a standard sling under someone while they sit in a chair or lie in bed creates a massive risk for pressure sores.
Don't rush. A hoist is not a racecar. Smooth, steady, and predictable is the only way it should ever operate.
Condition-Specific Notes
Hoists come up constantly across the conditions we cover on this site, and the right way to use one shifts depending on what you're working with.
Spinal cord injury — Support and stability are paramount. You will likely be using a sling with built-in head support. Jerky movements can trigger intense muscle spasms, so the lift must be exceptionally smooth.
Stroke, with one-sided weakness — Pay forensic attention to the affected arm. It is very easy for a paralysed arm to slip outside the sling or get trapped uncomfortably against the straps, risking shoulder subluxation (dislocation).
Parkinson's — Fluctuating rigidity means getting the sling fitted comfortably can be difficult. If their limbs are stiff, do not force them into the leg loops. Wait, go slower, and adapt to the resistance rather than fighting it.
MND and other progressive neurological conditions — As core and neck muscles weaken, head support becomes non-negotiable. Being suspended can also affect breathing if the sling compresses the chest. We constantly monitor their comfort and breathing during the transfer.
Arthritis and frailty — Fragile skin and painful joints mean the process of rolling the person to insert the sling must be done with extreme care. The lift itself should be incredibly slow to avoid jolting painful joints.
Palliative and end-of-life care — Comfort overtakes every other priority. Hoisting can be distressing or painful in the final stages of life. Movements should be slower, communication constant, and care plans are often re-evaluated to see if hoisting is still the most dignified and comfortable choice.
If You Want to Learn Properly
If you're a family carer in Whitchurch, Wem, or anywhere across North Shropshire and you'd like a proper hands-on demonstration — not just a blog post — ask us. We're always glad to show family members correct technique when we're already in the home for a visit, and it costs nothing to ask.
If you're thinking about care as a career and this kind of thing interests you rather than intimidates you, that's a good sign. We train every new carer in moving and handling at The Coach House before they ever do it unsupervised. Have a look at our Careers page.
📞 01948 411222
North Shropshire Homecare
The Coach House, 15/17 Green End, Whitchurch, SY13 1AD