I've used lots of transfer belts at work, and what you need most is one that is easy to put on and off. The easiest has a clasp where you slide the two ends together and it snaps shut, then you just squeeze the clasp to undo it. You initially set it to the length you need and it stays that way. I also liked a belt made of harness leather (it softens with use) and a regular (strong) belt buckle. The one I use most right now is made of webbing with a clasp where you slide one end into the buckle and a row of little teeth grip it, then into the other side of the buckle. (I'm sure there's proper names for these kinds of buckles, I just don't know them!) It's easy to adjust the length for the various sizes of waist I encounter. I don't like nylon webbing - it has a little sharper edge than leather or cotton webbing and can dig in a little as you're hoisting the person up.

If you're the caregiver, make sure you don't block the person's knees with your knees to stop them from giving way, as is often taught. We normally move our knees forwards as we rise to standing, and if you block that part of the movement, it makes it more difficult. You can use your knee(s) to help control their knee(s), but let their knee come forward a little as they rise. My patients learn "feet back and lean forward". For some reason, people who are having difficulty rising will do the opposite - put their feet forward a little and try to rise straight up. It doesn't work! If they're especially weak, they really have to lean forward to sort of counter balance the weight of their bottom, and get the movement started. One man I worked with today had to put his "nose past his toes" - another trick phrase they learn - before he could get up off the bed.