A transfer sling comprises (a) a sling body portion including: (i) a plurality of positioning straps to promote patient position adjustment, and (ii) a commode opening for toileting activities and (b) a pair of protection straps generally disposed on opposite sides of the commode opening, the protection straps extending laterally across the width of the commode opening and adapted to receive opposite ends of an absorbent incontinence sheet positionable between the protection straps to fully cover the commode opening.