Drive Medical Tamper Proof Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm

Item #: 13603  |  FSA Approved  |  By Drive Medical

Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm  |  Tamper-Proof Battery Cover  |  Adjustable Cord 28"–58"  |  Activates from Any Direction  |  LO/HI Volume Settings  |  3 Mounting Options  |  3-On/2-Off Alarm Cycle  |  Batteries Included  |  1-Year Warranty  |  By Drive Medical

The Drive Medical Tamper Proof Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm alerts caregivers when a patient attempts to exit a wheelchair or bed unassisted. An alligator clip attaches the pull cord to a piece of the patient's clothing; the cord's magnetic sensor rests in the sensor area on the alarm unit. When the patient moves — in any direction — the magnetic sensor pulls free and the alarm sounds. The adjustable cord extends from 28" to 58" to accommodate different bed heights and wheelchair configurations. A screwdriver is required to open the battery cover, preventing patients with dementia or confusion from disabling the alarm by removing the battery. Two volume settings (LO: 85 dB / HI: 95 dB) suit different environments. The alarm sounds in a 3-second-on/2-second-off cycle to alert caregivers without continuous blaring. Three mounting methods: holster strap for wheelchair push handle, mounting screws for headboard, or hook-and-loop for flat surfaces. FSA approved. Batteries included. 1-year limited warranty.

Specifications

Key Features

• Tamper-proof battery cover — the battery compartment is secured with two screws requiring a screwdriver (included) to open; prevents patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, or confusion from accessing and removing the battery to disable the alarm
• Magnetic pull cord mechanism — the cord's magnetic sensor rests in a sensor area on the alarm unit; when the patient moves, the magnetic connection releases and the alarm activates; no button or switch needs to be pressed — the patient's own movement triggers the alarm
• Activates from any direction — the magnetic release does not require a straight-line pull; movement in any direction — forward, sideways, or diagonal — will release the sensor and trigger the alarm
• Adjustable cord 28"–58" — the cord adjuster sets the length appropriate for the distance between the patient's clothing and the mounted alarm unit; accommodates standard bed heights, raised beds, and wheelchair configurations
• LO/HI volume settings — LO setting (85 dB) for quieter environments or nighttime use when surrounding occupants should not be disturbed; HI setting (95 dB) for daytime, louder facilities, or situations where the caregiver is further away
• 3-second on / 2-second off alarm cycle — the intermittent cycle alerts caregivers effectively while reducing continuous alarm noise disturbance to the patient and nearby occupants
• Alligator clip patient attachment — clips securely to a piece of clothing that the patient is unlikely to remove; best placed out of the patient's easy reach if possible
• Three mounting methods — holster with strap for wheelchair push handle; mounting screws for permanent headboard installation; hook-and-loop fastener for flat surface attachment (headboard or bed side) for easy repositioning
• Reset by replacing sensor — alarm stops when the magnetic sensor is replaced in the sensor area or the unit is switched off at the on/off switch
• FSA approved | 1-year limited warranty | By Drive Medical

Clinical FAQs

What makes this alarm "tamper-proof" and why does it matter for patients with dementia?

The tamper-proof designation refers to the battery compartment design — the battery cover is secured with two small screws that require a screwdriver to open, rather than the simple press-and-slide battery door found on standard alarms. In patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease, a common behavior pattern is to seek out and disable alarms and monitoring devices that restrict their freedom of movement — removing batteries is among the simplest disabling methods if the battery compartment is easily accessible. By requiring a tool to open the battery cover, the tamper-proof design prevents this specific disabling behavior without restricting the patient in any other way. The included screwdriver is intended for caregiver use during battery replacement, not for patient access. In care settings operating under restraint-free or least-restrictive care policies, maintaining working patient safety alarms is a regulatory and liability requirement — a battery that has been removed by a patient leaves them unmonitored. The tamper-proof cover addresses this compliance gap for cognitively impaired patient populations.

How does a magnetic pull cord alarm differ from a pressure-sensitive pad alarm for fall prevention?

Both are fall prevention monitoring devices that alert caregivers when a patient attempts to leave their bed or chair, but they operate through different mechanisms and suit different clinical scenarios. The pressure-sensitive pad alarm (such as the Drive Medical 13606) detects when the patient's body weight leaves the pad — it activates when the patient sits up or rises, regardless of how they move. It requires the pad to be positioned correctly under the patient's body and does not attach to the patient directly. The magnetic pull cord alarm (13603) attaches directly to the patient's clothing via an alligator clip and activates when the patient moves far enough to pull the cord's magnetic sensor from the unit — a distance-based trigger rather than a weight-based one. The pull cord alarm is particularly suited for wheelchair use (where a bed pad is not applicable), for patients who are ambulatory enough to rise before their weight leaves the center of the pad, or for patients who reposition significantly in bed without rising (where the pad may falsely alarm). The tamper-proof feature of the 13603 also makes it preferable over pressure-sensitive pads for cognitively impaired patients who might locate and remove a pad from under their mattress.

How should the pull cord length be set and where should the alligator clip be placed?

The pull cord should be adjusted so it has just enough slack to allow the patient to shift position normally in bed or wheelchair without triggering the alarm — but not so much slack that the patient can fully rise and transfer before the alarm sounds. For bed use, the alarm unit is typically mounted at the headboard and the cord should allow comfortable repositioning while lying down, but activate within the first few inches of a sit-up motion. For wheelchair use, the alarm unit attaches to the push handle via the holster and the cord should allow normal wheelchair seating posture but activate when the patient leans forward beyond the point of safe independent transfer. The alligator clip should be attached to a piece of clothing the patient is unlikely to remove on their own — the back collar of a shirt, a shoulder seam, or a back waistband — and positioned out of the patient's easy reach when possible. Clipping to easily accessible front pockets or waistbands increases the risk of the patient detaching the clip themselves rather than the cord pulling the magnetic sensor. Test the setup with a manual tug on the cord before leaving the patient unattended to confirm the alarm activates as expected.

Questions about the Drive Medical pull cord alarm, comparison with the pressure-sensitive pad alarm, or fall prevention products? Call our product specialists: 1-866-218-0902  |  Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–3pm EST