What does "SR” mean?
December 1 2023
When perusing the SecuringHospitals.com website, you may notice the acronym "SR” (suicide resistant) is used extensively to describe most of the products we feature. While the term such as "anti-ligature”, is very commonly used, we maintain the the term "suicide resistant" is more appropriate to the for the products we offer. Here is why:
Anti-ligature: This term refers to design solutions or products that aim to prevent the secure attachment of a ligature, which is anything that can be used to tie or leverage a cord, rope, or other materials around. The goal is to minimize the potential for these items to be used for self-harm or suicide. However, it’s important to note that many experts consider the term ‘anti-ligature’ to be a misnomer because it’s challenging to create something that is completely ligature-free. Instead, anti-ligature designs are categorized into three types:
1. Load release anti-ligature: Items that will release from their fixing to prevent a ligature when an abnormal load is applied.
2. Fixed anti-ligature: Items that are fixed in place but designed to minimize the potential for a ligature to be achieved.
3.Weapon deterrent: Designed to reduce the risk of an item being used as a weapon or instrument for self-harm.
Suicide resistant: This term is used to describe environments or products without points where a cord, rope, bedsheet, or other fabric/material can be looped or tied to create a sustainable point of attachment that may result in self-harm or loss of life.A suicide resistant product by its very nature must have anti-ligature properties in that it is specifically constructed to have smooth and seamless finishing to prevent points where a material can be wedged or levered to create a firm point of attachment.
In summary, while both terms aim to reduce the risk of self-harm, "anti-ligature” focuses on preventing the attachment of ligatures, and "suicide resistant” or "ligature resistant” refers to the broader goal of creating safe environments where the opportunities for self-harm are minimized. It’s a subtle but important distinction that impacts the design and implementation of safety features in various settings.
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