HWC PHYSICAL PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

The Handle With Care Verbal Program prepares staff to use the power of the relationship to de-escalate the tension level of someone in crisis and avoid physical intervention whenever possible.  Handle With Care's physical skills training enables staff to manage situations where the only appropriate response is the prompt skillful use of physical restraint.  Handle With Care physical training expands on the verbal program and integrates a physical component that teaches staff how to manage critical events through teamwork, and interventions designed ensure confidence, safety and maintain the dignity and therapeutic relationship between staff and consumer.

Handle With Care Physical Skills Training can be divided into 5 main components:   Understanding personal space Personal defense Physical restraint Escort Specialized & optional interventions The centerpiece of the Handle With Care personal defense and physical restraint technology is the Primary Restraint Technique (PRT)®.  The PRT interfaces uniquely with the Personal Defense System, creating a totally integrated non-injurious self-defense system that gives staff the ability to smoothly transition from a personal defense crisis into the most powerful single person passive restraint method in the world.

HWC Personal Defense System   The personal defense system was engineered to meet the following design criteria:   All the personal defense techniques were designed to be effective and non-injurious.  All of the personal defense techniques were designed to interface with the Primary Restraint Technique (PRT).  Staff have a choice to either disingage themselves or another or to transition from personal defense into a physical hold. All the personal defense techniques were designed to work effectively in what we call "3rd person save" situations.  A responsible direct care worker must be able to respond to an assault on someone other than herself.  Handle with Care training provides an unprecedented level of therapeutic control in these situations.

HWC Physical Intervention & The Primary Restraint Technique® (PRT)® HWC's physical intervention program was engineered to meet the following design criteria:   The physical intervention program was designed as an appropriate, natural and sometimes necessary extension of the therapeutic relationship.    The PRT is an easy to learn, orthopedically safe and powerful standing method that offers unprecedented mechanical advantage without pain or injury.  A standing PRT communicates therapeutic control so effectively that a takedown is usually unnecessary.  The PRT is the only prone or facedown holding method that has always had a built-in safeguard, the Tripod Modification, to prevent chest compression or the possibility of positional asphyxiation.  Our first product, the PRT Tripod Stand, was developed specifically for agencies that are unable to terminate floor restraints quickly because they do not use mechanical restraints. HWC's physical program also offers "non prone restraint" options that are based on the PRT, including a two person supine (face up) restraint method, a special holding method for smaller children and other modifications for children and consumers with orthopedic, medical and physical conditions (including pregnancy).

HWC Team Restraint System A team approach is always the best approach.  We believe that the use of single person restraint methods, even one as effective as the PRT, should be limited to emergencies when there are no other options.  Our two and four person team restraint components are engineered around the PRT in a way that eliminates confusion and chaos.  Based on the number of staff that can normally respond to a crisis at your agency, we customize a two or four person team deployment system with tactical adjustments for a wide range of behaviors and situations. If you use locked or unlocked seclusion (time out or quiet room), therapeutic, medical or mechanical restraints we will teach you our methods of application and make solid recommendations regarding their use.

For additional information, call or email us at:  Tel: 845-255-4031 ; Email: Info@handlewithcare.com