Where should a gait belt be placed?

• A. Around waist
• B. Around ankle
• C. Around chest
• D. Around neck

Answer: (A)

A gait belt is placed around the patient’s waist to provide a secure, accessible handle for safely guiding and supporting them during transfers and ambulation. Position it over clothing at the level of the hips and fasten it snugly so you can slide one or two fingers between the belt and the body. This midsection placement distributes force through the torso and pelvis, giving you a stable grip and helping protect the patient from falls while reducing strain on your own back. Placing a belt around the neck is dangerous, around the chest can restrict breathing and offer poor control, and around the ankle wouldn’t give you a reliable grip—so the waist is the correct location.