COURSES

Mechanical/Soft Restraint

What is Mechanical Restraint?

Mechanical restraint involves using devices (like belts, cuffs, or chairs) to restrict a person’s movement, typically to prevent harm to themselves or others. It’s a highly sensitive and controversial practice, and it’s used only in extreme situations when other methods (like verbal de-escalation or manual restraint) have failed or are deemed unsafe.

Reasons for using Mechanical Restraint

1. To Prevent Immediate Harm:

If a person is at serious risk of injuring themselves or others and cannot be safely managed with less restrictive methods.
Example: A patient repeatedly attempting to self-harm or attack staff despite verbal interventions.

When Manual Restraint Is Unsafe:

If a person is too strong, erratic, or if there’s a high risk of injury to staff during manual restraint.
Or if staff are not physically capable of safely restraining someone without assistance.

To Maintain Safety During Medical Treatment:

In emergency medical settings, mechanical restraint might be used to stop a patient from interfering with life-saving treatment (e.g., pulling out IV lines or catheters).

When Agitation Is Caused by a Medical Condition:

Conditions like delirium, severe psychosis, or intoxication might result in uncontrollable agitation that mechanical restraint helps manage briefly until the episode passes.

Alternatives Preferred Over Mechanical Restraint

Verbal de-escalation
Environmental changes (e.g., removing stressors)
Medication (if appropriate and consensual)
Manual holds (short-term and with trained staff)
Observation or 1:1 supervision

In modern care, the goal is always “least restrictive intervention”—meaning restraint (especially mechanical) should only happen when absolutely necessary and justifiable. Its use is often seen as a failure of preventive strategies, so training like PMVA focuses heavily on avoiding it whenever possible.

Important considerations

Last Resort: Mechanical restraint should only be used when all less restrictive options have failed.
Time-Limited: It must be used for the shortest possible time.
Constant Monitoring: A restrained person must be continuously monitored for physical and psychological well-being.
Legal & Ethical Oversight: Its use must comply with laws (e.g., Mental Health Act, Human Rights laws) and organizational policies

Course details

Why choose our course?

Our Mechanical Restraint Course is designed to promote best practice in relation to the application of Handcuffs and Soft Restraints as per policy and procedure, taking into account the Legal, Statuary, Ethical and Moral Obligation and Risks Associated.

All learners will have continuous and ongoing staff support from their instructors at every stage as they progress through the qualification.

Need help choosing the right course?

Not sure which course suits your team or industry? Our friendly training advisors are here to guide you. Whether you’re booking for one person or a whole organisation, we’ll help you find the right fit.