An improvement to devices known as “patient turners”, provides for a hand controlled brake and locking mechanism that positively locks the rotatable platform of these devices to their stationary base. The activation or deactivation of the mechanism is done by hand at a grab handle of the device instead of by foot at the base of the device. This allows the assistant using the device to rotate a patient standing on the platform to always keep two hands on the device and both feet on the floor during the whole rotation process. This process includes the activation of the braking and locking mechanism to prevent accidental and unplanned rotation of the platform, the patient getting onto the platform, the deactivation of the mechanism, the rotation of the patient on the platform by the assistant, the activation of the mechanism, and the patient getting off the platform.
