Rescue from suicidal hangings

Abstract

The untimely event of suicidal hanging requires a timely, competent, and coordinated response by security and healthcare staff. A successful, life-saving response also requires special cutdown equipment (“suicide cutdown knife”) and staff that is trained in its proper use. The training is hands-on and practical, including retrieving the cutdown tool and actually doing some cutting. Because a serious hanging attempt is relatively rare, most security and healthcare staff have had almost no actual experience with a suicidal hanging. The presentation summarizes our in-depth training program, which includes follow-ups on every work shift to measure the impact of the training. The training includes our retention mnemonic, “The 5 Cs of Rescue.”