Suspension trauma, also called harness-induced pathology, occurs when blood pools in the lower limbs as a result of prolonged suspension in a harness. The common myth is that the pooled blood becomes toxic and kills the person when they are rescued. This is not what happens. The real danger is the loss of consciousness while suspended, which can cause the head to fall forward against the harness, occluding the airway. Cardiac arrest follows rapidly from respiratory arrest, not from acidotic blood. Management is straightforward: get the person to the ground, relieve them from the harness, support their airway and breathing, and commence CPR if needed. Don’t let myths about acidotic blood delay the rescue.
