I placed this post on my blog about 3 hours ago. Within the last hour, I received an email from an MD reporting to me on updated medical advice. Here is the important information in that email –

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“Your recent note about harness suspension came up on a google search. … What you have written about not laying someone down after this happens was current several years ago but most medical authorities no longer support that point of view. Below is a link to a review article …

http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/1080-6032/PIIS1080603210003200.pdf

That part of the review by Seddon that you cite has been more or less retracted by the occupational safety group that wrote it.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr708.pdf

Based on that, OSHA has removed the bulletin that you cite as well (no link as it’s no longer available from OSHA). If you use google scholar you’ll find several publications saying that there was never any evidence for that recommendation (e.g. Thomassen, Adisesh, Pasquier). There was a comment on your site recommending an article by Raynovich. This article stands in isolation from all other medical sources. It was briefly cited by the Mountain Rescue Association but they have subsequently said to do standard resuscitation for suspension trauma.

http://www.mra.org/images/stories/meridian/meridianapr2011.pdf

… What you wrote was mainstream “common knowledge” in 2006 but it is no longer felt to be accurate and is felt to be probably dangerous by many. Many people may read your posts and it may make a difference.”

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I’ve only looked at these articles briefly, and won’t really have time to read them thoroughly for a few days. But, I wanted to post this information as soon as possible.

The previous literature I’ve read suggests it is necessary to sit a venous pooling victim up during the initial recovery period, rather than laying them down. Sitting a venous pooling patient up during the initial rescue period is counter-intuitive to emergency rescue personnel. As I read this new literature, it suggests it is best to use standard rescue procedures and lay the venous pooling victim down as soon as possible during/after rescue.

I wanted you to know these medical recommendations as soon as possible. I’m just reporting the literature.

“Dangerous Suspension: Understanding suspension syndrome & prehospital treatment for those at risk. ”

Here is the URL -
http://www.jems.com/article/patient-care/dangerous-suspension-understan