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How to Put a Hoyer Sling On: Measuring, Placement and Fit Checks
By MedCare Mobility Editorial Team · Updated November 2026 · Steps follow common manufacturer instructions for full body and divided leg slings
How to put a Hoyer sling on: measure the person so the sling fits, roll them onto the sling in bed (or slide it down their back in a chair), line the bottom edge up with the tailbone and the center seam with the spine, bring the leg pieces under the thighs, attach the shoulder loops first and the leg loops second, then lift 2 inches and check everything before the real lift.
Still deciding which sling to buy? This page is the hands-on part: measuring, placement and the fit check. For sling types, lift compatibility by brand, loop vs. clip systems and size charts, see our full sling buying guide: Patient Lift Slings Guide: Types, Compatibility, Sizes and How to Choose the Best Sling.
You have the lift. The sling just arrived. Now there is a person in bed who needs to get to a wheelchair, and the instruction sheet shows a drawing the size of a postage stamp. This is the part most families find hardest the first few times, and it is also the part that decides whether a lift feels secure or scary.
Below is how to put a Hoyer sling on the way caregivers are trained to do it: a quick measurement, placement in bed, placement in a chair, hooking up, a fit check, and the signs that something is off. If you are still choosing the lift itself, Hoyer Lifts Explained: 12 Types and Who They're For covers that first.
On this page
Before you start: a 60-second setup
Most sling problems start before the sling ever touches the person. Run through this list first.
- Right sling for this person and this lift. Check the label for the size, the weight rating and the lift it is approved for. If you are not sure it matches, the sling buying guide walks through compatibility.
- Two people if you can. Many care plans and facilities require two caregivers for sling transfers. Even at home, a second set of hands makes rolling and hooking up far easier.
- Bed at working height, wheels locked. Raise the bed to about your hip height so you are not bending over, and lock the bed and chair brakes.
- Lift charged and close by. Have the lift in the room with the base legs closed and the spreader bar high enough to clear the person.
- Talk the person through it. Tell them what you are about to do before each step. People brace and stiffen when they are surprised, and that makes rolling harder for everyone.
How to measure for a Hoyer sling
A sling that fits is half the battle when you put it on, because the landmarks (tailbone, shoulders, mid-thigh) land where they should. Many manufacturers size full body slings by back length, so a tape measure tells you more than a guess based on weight.
- Sit the person upright in a chair or wheelchair, or as upright as they can safely sit.
- Measure back length. Run a soft tape from the seat at the tailbone straight up the spine to the top of the head. If the sling has no head support, measure to the top of the shoulders instead.
- Measure hip width across the widest part of the hips while seated.
- Write down their current weight. The sling, the lift and the spreader bar all need a rating above it.
- Compare with the chart for that exact sling. A medium from one maker is not a medium from another. Our sling buying guide explains the brand size charts and what to do between sizes.
Already own a sling and not sure it fits? Lay it flat on the bed and have the person lie on top of it (or hold it against their back while seated). The bottom edge should reach the tailbone and the top should reach the shoulders or the head, depending on the style. If it falls well short or runs far past, measure and check the chart before the next transfer.
How to put a Hoyer sling on in bed, step by step
The bed method uses a log roll: you roll the person to one side, tuck the sling in, roll them back over it and pull it through. It is the standard way to get a full body sling under someone who cannot sit up on their own.
- Lower the head of the bed flat if the person can tolerate it, and lower the side rail on the side you are working from.
- Fold the sling in half lengthwise with the loops and labels on the outside, away from the person. The label side never goes against the skin.
- Roll the person onto their side, toward the second caregiver or the raised rail on the far side. Bend the top knee slightly to make the roll easier and keep the shoulders and hips turning together.
- Place the folded sling against their back. Line the center seam or center mark up with the spine, the bottom edge at the tailbone, and the top at the shoulders or above the head for a sling with head support. Tuck the folded half under them as far as it will go.
- Roll the person back over the sling and onto their other side, then reach under and pull the tucked half through so it lies flat.
- Roll them onto their back and check that the sling is centered, flat and free of wrinkles, with equal amounts showing on each side.
- Bring the leg pieces under the thighs. Slide each one under from the outside of the leg toward the middle so it sits under the mid-thigh, not behind the knee and not up in the groin.
- Cross the leg pieces if your sling calls for it. On many full body and divided leg slings, you pass one leg strap through or over the other so the legs stay together during the lift. Toileting and some access slings are not crossed, so follow the label.
Now the sling is on. Leave the person lying flat while you bring the lift over; the next section covers hooking up.
How to put a Hoyer sling on in a chair or wheelchair
If the person is already seated, you can usually skip the rolling. U-slings and divided leg slings are made for this, and many full body slings go on the same way.
- Lock the wheelchair brakes and swing away or remove the footrests if they are in the way.
- Lean the person forward with one caregiver supporting the chest and shoulders. If they cannot lean safely, use the bed method instead.
- Slide the sling down behind their back, label side out, until the bottom edge touches the seat at the tailbone. Keep the center mark on the spine.
- Ease them back against the sling and check that the top sits at the shoulders or behind the head.
- Feed each leg piece under the thigh. Lift one leg slightly at the knee, slide the strap under from the outside, and pull it through so it rests under the mid-thigh. Repeat on the other side.
- Cross the leg straps if the sling's instructions say to, then bring the loops up toward the lift.
A tip from caregivers who do this every day: smooth the sling flat with your palm after each step. Wrinkles under the hips are a top cause of red marks and discomfort after a transfer.
Hoyer sling placement on the lift: hooking up
Good Hoyer sling placement does not stop at the fabric. How you attach it to the spreader bar decides how the person sits in the air.
- Open the lift's base legs and roll the lift in so the spreader bar is centered over the chest, not the face.
- Lower the bar slowly until you can reach the attachment points without stretching the straps. Keep a hand on the bar so it never swings toward the person's head.
- Attach the shoulder straps first, then the leg straps. On loop slings, use the same color loop on the left and right so the person hangs level.
- Pick the loops for the position you want. On most loop slings, shorter shoulder loops sit the person more upright and longer shoulder loops recline them. Start with the setting the sling maker suggests and adjust from there.
- Check every connection. Loops should sit fully in the hooks. Clips should be pushed all the way onto the bar until they lock.
Loops, clips, 4-point vs. 6-point bars and which slings fit which lift brands are covered in depth in the patient lift slings guide, so this page keeps to the hands-on steps.
The 2-inch fit check before every lift
Raise the lift until the straps are snug, then lift just 1 to 2 inches off the bed or seat and stop. This short pause is the most important habit in safe Hoyer sling placement. Look and ask:
- Is the person centered, with the sling's center seam along the spine?
- Are the straps straight, with no twists from the bar to the fabric?
- Are the leg pieces under the mid-thighs, not behind the knees or pressing the groin?
- Is the head supported if they need head support?
- Do the shoulder straps sit clear of the armpits?
- Does the person say they feel secure, not pinched or slipping?
If any answer is no, lower them back down, fix it and check again. It takes 30 seconds and it is far easier than fixing a problem in midair.
Signs the sling is the wrong size or placed wrong
Use this table during the 2-inch check. Most fit problems trace back to either the size or where the bottom edge landed.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Straps squeeze the shoulders or ride into the armpits | Sling too small, or placed too high | Lower the bottom edge to the tailbone; if it still pinches, measure and size up |
| Person sinks deep with knees near the chest | Sling too big | Stop and lower; a sling that is too large can let a person slip through the leg opening. Use the right size |
| Leg pieces press into the groin | Sling too small, or leg pieces pulled too high | Reposition under the mid-thigh; recheck size |
| Leg pieces slide behind the knees | Sling placed too low, or too big | Move the bottom edge up to the tailbone |
| Head falls back | Sling placed too low, or the style has no head support | Reposition higher; if they need head support every time, switch to a sling that has it |
| Person tilts to one side | Sling off-center, or uneven loops left and right | Center the seam on the spine and match loop colors on both sides |
| Too reclined or too upright | Loop choice | Shorter shoulder loops for more upright, longer for more recline |
| Red marks or creases after the transfer | Wrinkles or folds under the hips or thighs | Smooth the sling flat after each step of putting it on |
If the same problem keeps coming back after you have measured and repositioned, the sling style may be the issue rather than the fit. That is a question for the full sling buying guide, which matches sling types to specific conditions.
Taking the sling off after the transfer
Lower the person slowly into the chair or bed, guiding them by the sling's handles if it has them so their hips land at the back of the seat. Keep lowering until their full weight is on the surface and the straps go slack. Then:
- Unhook the straps and move the spreader bar up and away from the head before moving the lift.
- In a chair: slide the leg pieces out from under the thighs first, lean the person forward and slide the sling up and out from behind the back.
- In bed: roll the person to one side, tuck the sling under them, roll to the other side and pull it free.
Some slings are made to stay in place in a chair and some are not. Check the label, and keep an eye on skin where the sling sat. For laundering, inspection and when to retire a sling, see the Patient Lift Sling Knowledge Base.
Slings that are easier to put on
If putting a sling on is the hardest part of your day, the sling style can help. U-slings and divided leg slings go on and come off while the person is seated, with no rolling. Color-coded loops make it simple to hook up evenly. Current prices from our store:
- Medacure U-Sling with Head Support (from $43.99): a U-shaped sling that goes on in the chair.
- Medacure Divided Leg Sling with Head Support (from $48.99): separate leg pieces that slide under each thigh.
- Graham-Field Lumex SURELIFT Universal Sling (from $89.00): a divided leg sling for 2-, 4- or 6-point lifts.
- Joerns Padded U Sling, 70013 Series (from $175.00): a padded U-sling with head support for 4- or 6-point Hoyer lifts.
- Medacure Full Body Sling (from $40.99): color-coded loop straps and a 660-pound rating, for people who need full support.
- Medacure 850 lb Full Body Sling ($43.99): a bariatric full body sling.
- Joerns Hoyer Twin Turner Sling ($219.00): a turning sling made for repositioning and log rolling in bed.
Browse every patient lift sling we carry, or shop by type: divided leg slings, full body slings, commode opening slings, mesh slings and sit-to-stand slings. Not sure which one fits your situation? Try our sling assessment tool.
For the research behind safe lifting, see OSHA's safe patient handling resources. Ask a nurse, physical therapist or occupational therapist to watch your first few transfers. They can spot a placement habit in seconds.
Every patient lift sling we carry
Here is our full sling lineup, grouped by type. Before you order, check that the attachment style (loops or clips) and the number of points match your lift.
Full body slings: Graham-Field 2-Point Sling, Proactive Full Body Clip Sling with Padded Legs, Joerns Hoyer Full Back Patient Sling with Head Support (NA1067), Joerns Hoyer Disposable Full Back Loop Style Sling, Joerns Hoyer Long Seat Sling, Joerns Hoyer Professional Quickfit Deluxe Sling, McKesson Full Body Patient Sling, Joerns Hoyer Comfort Disposable Sling, Invacare R117 Full Body Solid Poly Sling, Joerns Hoyer Quickfit Sling, Invacare Universal Patient Lift Sling with Head Support, Graham-Field Lumex Full-Body Fabric Sling, Proactive Medical Full Body Solid Sling, Joerns Hoyer Full Body Hammock Sling, Invacare Standard Sling 9042.
Mesh bathing slings: Medacure Full Body Mesh Sling, Invacare Full Body Mesh Sling, Graham-Field Lumex Full-Body Mesh Sling, Proactive Medical Full Body Mesh Sling (30110 Series).
Divided leg and U-slings: Invacare Divided Leg Sling for Hoyer Lift, Proactive Medical Solid Padded Divided Leg Sling with Head Support, Graham-Field Lumex SURELIFT Universal Sling with Full Head Support, Graham-Field Hoyer Compatible Padded Sling, Joerns Hoyer Comfort Clip Sling.
Commode and toileting slings: Medacure 4 Point Sling with Commode Opening, Proactive Medical Mesh Commode Sling, Medacure Full Body Mesh Sling with Commode, Invacare R114 Full Body Mesh Toileting Sling, Invacare Toileting High Sling with Head Support, Invacare Comfort Sling with Commode Opening, Medacure Toileting Sling, Joerns Hoyer NA1600 Padded Access Toileting Sling, Medacure Full Body Sling with Commode Opening, McKesson Full Body Patient Lift Sling with Commode Opening, Joerns Hoyer One-Piece Padded Sling with Positioning Strap, Joerns Hoyer Long Seat Commode Sling, Joerns Comfort Access Padded Toileting Clip Sling, Invacare Padded Toileting Sling, Graham-Field Full-Body Mesh Commode Sling, Lumex TP332 Deluxe Padded Toileting Sling.
Sit-to-stand and transport slings: Joerns Hoyer Standing Disposable Sling, Joerns Hoyer Standing Harness Sling, Invacare Stand Assist Sling, Medacure Stand Assist Sling, Proactive Sit-to-Stand Sling (30129 Series), Medacure Deluxe Sit to Stand Sling, Invacare Premier Series Stand-Assist Sling, Medacure Sit to Stand Transfer Sling, Joerns Hoyer Deluxe Standing Sling, Invacare Premier Series Transfer Stand-Assist Sling, Graham-Field Lumex Sit-to-Stand Buttock Strap, Graham-Field Deluxe Sit to Stand Padded Sling, Invacare R134 Transport Sling, Joerns Hoyer Deluxe Transport Sling.
Bariatric slings: Medacure 850 lb Divided Leg Sling, Joerns Hoyer Bariatric Hammock Spacer Sling, Joerns Hoyer Full Back Bariatric Sling, Joerns Hoyer Quickfit Bariatric Sling.
Repositioning, amputee and limb slings: Joerns Hoyer Repositioning Sling, Joerns Hoyer Comfort Amputee Clip Sling, Invacare Comfort Amputee Sling, Joerns Hoyer Limb Sling.
How to put a Hoyer sling on: FAQ
How do you put a Hoyer sling on someone in bed?
Roll the person onto their side, place the sling folded in half against their back with the center on the spine and the bottom edge at the tailbone, roll them back over it, pull the folded half through, then roll them onto their back and bring the leg pieces under the thighs.
Where should the bottom of a Hoyer sling be?
On most full body and divided leg slings, the bottom edge should sit at the tailbone. Too high and the straps pinch the shoulders; too low and the leg pieces slide behind the knees. Follow the instructions on your sling's label.
How do you measure someone for a Hoyer sling?
Sit the person upright and measure from the seat at the tailbone to the top of the head, or to the top of the shoulders for a sling without head support. Note hip width and current weight, then compare with the size chart for that exact sling.
Should the leg straps on a Hoyer sling cross?
On many full body and divided leg slings, yes. Crossing the leg pieces keeps the legs together and helps prevent slipping. Toileting and some access slings are not crossed, so check the sling maker's instructions.
Which straps do you attach first on a Hoyer lift?
Attach the shoulder straps first, then the leg straps. On loop slings, use the same color loop on both sides so the person hangs level.
How tight should a Hoyer sling be?
Snug, not tight. At the 2-inch check the person should feel held and centered, with no pinching at the armpits or groin and no room to slide down toward the leg openings.
Can one person put a Hoyer sling on alone?
Some lift and sling makers allow one trained caregiver, but many care plans and facilities require two. Follow the lift's manual and the person's care plan, and ask a nurse or therapist to show you the steps first.
How do I know the Hoyer sling is placed correctly?
Lift 1 to 2 inches and stop. The person should be centered, the straps untwisted, the leg pieces under the mid-thighs, the head supported if needed and every loop or clip fully attached. If anything looks off, lower and fix it.
Need a hand with your sling?
Send us the make and model of your lift, the sling you have and what is going wrong at the fit check, and we will help you sort it out. Call us at 585-505-6665, or browse all Hoyer lift slings and Hoyer lifts for sale.
