What is a basket hold?

Question

I work in a medical records department. I've learned a lot, but still don't know what a basket hold is. I see therapists refer to it when trying to settle down troubled kids who are throwing a fit.

Answer 1

This is a control technique to prevent an upset person from hurting themselves or others. The therapist actually wraps the person's arms arm that person.

Take your right arm and cross your body to the left side of your chest. Now do the same with the left arm crossing to the right side of your body. In a basket hold, the therapist holds the person in this position so they cannot move the arms, holding the person in position above the wrist.

The issue with a basket hold is the person could head butt the person holding them, so usually the therapist gently nuggles the person forward so their head is against the therapist's upper chest.

Ask one of the therapist to show you the hold. Done right it is a safe way to control someone!

Answer 2

It is a passive hold used on an unruly patient. You approach the patient from behind putting your rt hand on their rt elbow ant the same on the left you push their arms across their body crossing the arms in front. then you quickly grab their rt wrist with your left hand and their left wrist with your rt hand. You can then hold them and prevent them from hurting their self or others. In this way you cause no injury to the patient. You stand back a little so they can not head but you, or kick you by kicking backwards.