The fireman’s carry is a specific method of emergency human transport that allows a single rescuer to move another person quickly and efficiently. This technique involves placing the carried person across the rescuer’s shoulders, distributing the weight in a manner that optimizes the carrier’s endurance and mobility. While the method is no longer standard practice in modern firefighting due to the risk of smoke inhalation at higher levels, it remains a valuable skill taught to soldiers, lifeguards, and emergency responders for rapid, temporary evacuation from danger. Successfully executing this technique requires precise form and lifting mechanics to prevent injury to both the person being carried and the rescuer.
Initial Positioning
The process begins by preparing the person for the lift, especially if they are lying on the ground unconscious. If the person is supine (on their back), they must be carefully rolled onto their stomach, minimizing any twisting of the torso. The rescuer should then kneel near the person’s head, placing their arms under the armpits and around the back to secure a grip on the upper body.
From this low position, the rescuer uses their leg muscles to lift the person’s torso, bringing them to a standing or near-standing position. This initial lift is primarily about getting the person upright, not hoisting them completely. The rescuer should maintain a low center of gravity, keeping the person’s body close to their own throughout the movement to maximize leverage and stability.
Once the person is vertical, the rescuer places their dominant leg between the person’s legs, creating a stable base and preparing for the transfer of weight. This phase transitions the person from the floor to an assisted standing position, which sets the foundation for the main lifting motion that follows.
Executing the Full Lift
The most physically demanding part of the carry involves transitioning the person’s weight from the ground to the rescuer’s shoulder. With the person standing and the rescuer’s leg positioned between theirs, the rescuer grabs the person’s wrist with their non-dominant hand and drapes that arm over the back of their own neck. This action secures the upper body and ensures the person’s head is positioned near the rescuer’s armpit.
The rescuer then squats down, keeping their back straight and focusing the effort in their hips and legs, similar to a deadlift or squat motion. Proper lifting mechanics are necessary here, as trying to lift the person’s weight with the back increases the risk of spinal injury to the rescuer. As the rescuer lowers themselves, the person’s torso is positioned across the rescuer’s shoulders.
The final securement involves the rescuer wrapping their dominant arm around the person’s legs, specifically grasping the back of the knee of the leg closest to the rescuer’s front. This grip effectively locks the person onto the shoulder. This creates a “loop” of the person’s body over the rescuer, with the weight distributed over a large area, ready for transport.
Maintaining Stability and Descent
With the person secured across the shoulders, the rescuer must make slight adjustments to balance the load evenly. Distributing the weight across both shoulders allows the carrier to move for longer distances with greater efficiency. The rescuer’s posture should remain as straight as possible, relying on the legs and core muscles to manage the shifted center of gravity.
Movement should be executed with small, deliberate steps, maintaining awareness of the body’s new, heavier dimensions. The person being carried will be largely outside the rescuer’s field of vision, making peripheral awareness of obstacles and tight spaces important. Quick, jerky movements must be avoided to prevent jostling, which can destabilize the rescuer or cause further injury to the person.
To safely end the carry, the process is reversed in a controlled descent. The rescuer first squats down, bending the knees while keeping the back straight, ensuring the person’s feet touch the ground gently. The rescuer then carefully releases the grip on the knee and arm, supporting the person’s weight as they transition back to a standing or seated position. A controlled descent mitigates the risk of the person falling or being dropped.
Essential Safety Pointers
Before attempting any emergency carry, the rescuer must quickly assess the scene for ongoing hazards and determine the person’s condition. A primary contraindication for the fireman’s carry is any suspected spinal or neck injury. Moving a person with a suspected spinal injury can severely worsen their condition and should only be done if immediate danger, such as fire or flood, necessitates moving them.
Rescuers must be honest about their own physical limitations, as attempting to lift someone significantly heavier than their capability risks injury to both parties. The carry places a strain on the back, even with perfect form, so sufficient strength and endurance are necessary to complete the maneuver successfully. If the rescuer is too small or weak for the person, alternative methods like a drag should be considered.
If the person is conscious, clear and calm communication about the plan is necessary to gain cooperation and prevent sudden movements that could upset the balance. Practicing the technique with a cooperative partner beforehand can build the muscle memory required for the complex sequence. Furthermore, the rescuer must be aware of the carried person’s head and limbs, particularly in narrow passages, to avoid accidental collisions with walls or obstacles.