Ligature Awareness and Cutting

A half day training course for nurses and support staff working with those at risk of ligatures.

Course Length. 3.5 hours

Introduction

Having ligature awareness training and responding to incidents in a professional and timely fashion can and does save lives. Hanging is a common method of suicide for many service users and this may involve suspending the body from a high ligature point. This can cause a fracture to the upper spinal column, or through asphyxiation or strangulation without suspension of the body, using a ligature point at or below head height.

Course Contents

Ligature risk assessments
Environmental risk assessments
Types of ligatures and ligature points
Signs and symptoms of ligature injuries
Safe removal of ligatures using cutters
Safe removal from suspension and incomplete suspension
Safely storing, maintaining, disposing and replacing cutters
Anti ligature devices
First Aid actions following strangulation or attempted strangulation

Course Outcomes

Successful completion of this training course will result in the award of a CPD accredited certificate covering all aspects of the above course contents.