The fireman carry is a core technique in emergency and rescue situations, designed to move a person who is unconscious or unable to walk on their own. This method allows a single rescuer to transport a casualty quickly and efficiently over moderate to long distances. The primary purpose is to distribute the casualty’s weight across the rescuer’s shoulders and back, optimizing the rescuer’s power, endurance, and mobility. It is a calculated risk taken when a person must be moved immediately from a hazardous environment to a safer location.
Assessing the Situation and Preparing the Casualty
Before initiating movement, the rescuer must complete a rapid assessment of the immediate environment and the casualty’s condition. The environment needs evaluation for a clear path and any ongoing hazards that necessitate immediate movement. This quick survey informs the decision on whether the carry is appropriate and the direction of travel to the nearest safe zone.
Movement is contraindicated if a severe head, neck, or spinal cord injury is suspected, as the rotational forces involved in the lift can cause irreversible damage. If the environment is unsafe and movement is necessary, the casualty must be prepared for the lift by getting them into an upright position. If the person is lying on their back, they must first be rolled onto their stomach as a single unit to minimize torso twisting.
The rescuer kneels at the casualty’s head, placing their hands under the armpits and locking them across the upper back. By pulling the casualty toward them while walking backward, the rescuer leverages the person’s body weight to bring them up to a kneeling position. This action continues until the casualty is upright, standing with legs locked, or supported in a semi-standing posture.
Executing the Lift and Carry
Once the casualty is upright, the rescuer secures one of the casualty’s arms and places one of their own legs between the casualty’s legs for a stable base. This positioning creates a mechanical advantage for the lift. The rescuer grasps the casualty’s wrist with their opposite hand, pulling the arm over their own shoulder to begin draping the casualty’s body.
With the casualty’s arm secured across their back, the rescuer performs a controlled squat, keeping their back straight and utilizing their leg muscles. As they squat, the rescuer maneuvers the casualty’s torso to be draped across their shoulder, aiming for an even distribution of weight. The rescuer’s head is positioned under the casualty’s armpit for added stability.
The next action involves securing the casualty’s lower body with the rescuer’s free arm, which is passed between the casualty’s legs and around the thigh closest to the rescuer’s chest. The rescuer grasps the casualty’s opposite wrist or belt with this hand to lock the person in place and prevent them from slipping off the shoulder. This grip creates a secure loop, where the casualty’s weight is managed by the rescuer’s skeletal structure.
To execute the carry, the rescuer stands up by pushing with their powerful leg muscles, maintaining a straight back to prevent strain. With the weight secured, the rescuer moves cautiously, using their free arm for balance and to navigate obstacles, allowing for a relatively hands-free carry. To complete the maneuver, the rescuer reverses the steps, carefully squatting down at the destination and controlling the descent to safely lower the casualty to the ground.
Safety, Technique, and When to Use Alternatives
The proper technique demands that the rescuer always lifts with their legs and maintains a straight back, avoiding bending at the waist, which risks a severe lower back injury. The fireman carry leverages the strength of the quadriceps and gluteal muscles for maximal lifting capacity and endurance. Even with proper technique, a significant mismatch in size or weight between the rescuer and the casualty can render the carry impractical or dangerous.
The carry is inappropriate when a severe head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected, as the lifting and draping motion can cause secondary neurological damage. In such scenarios, movement should be minimized; if absolutely necessary, a drag technique on a rigid surface or a blanket drag is preferred to maintain spinal alignment. Furthermore, in environments with smoke or heat, the fireman carry places the casualty higher up where toxic gases and temperatures are more concentrated.
Modern fire services often favor a low-level drag carry. The rescuer’s field of vision is also significantly obstructed during the carry, making it hazardous in unstable or cluttered environments. If the distance is short or the terrain is highly uneven, a shoulder or ankle drag may be a safer alternative. The decision to use the fireman carry is a balance between the urgency of the rescue and the potential for further injury.