When an emergency requires moving a person, the goal is to transport them safely without causing additional injury to them or the carrier. The method chosen depends entirely on the situation, such as a rapid evacuation from a dangerous scene or a controlled transfer during caregiving. Prioritizing the safety of the person being moved is paramount. Maintaining proper body mechanics is equally important to prevent the carrier from becoming injured.
Essential Body Mechanics for Safe Lifting
Proper body positioning forms the foundation for any safe lift, significantly reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury to the carrier. The primary rule is to utilize the strength of the legs and hips, rather than relying on the back. This involves standing close to the person being moved, keeping the load as near as possible to the carrier’s center of gravity.
Before initiating a lift, the carrier should establish a wide base of support, typically with feet shoulder-width apart and one foot slightly forward for balance. Bending must occur at the knees and hips, maintaining a straight or neutral spine throughout the movement. The carrier should use their leg muscles to push upward in a smooth, controlled motion, avoiding sudden jerking or twisting movements that can strain the back.
Single-Rescuer Techniques for Rapid Movement
In situations where immediate danger, such as fire or structural collapse, necessitates rapid movement by one person, certain techniques are designed for quick evacuation. The Clothing Drag or Blanket Drag are the safest methods for rapid evacuation across a short, smooth distance, as they keep the person low to the ground and minimize the carrier’s lifting effort. For a clothing drag, the rescuer grasps the person’s clothing near the shoulders, supporting the head, and uses their legs to pull backward in a straight line.
The Pack-Strap Carry is an option for longer distances when the person is unconscious but does not have suspected spinal injuries. The rescuer turns their back to the person, brings the person’s arms over their shoulders, crosses the arms across the rescuer’s chest, and grasps the person’s wrists to secure the load. This distributes the weight onto the rescuer’s hips and back, allowing them to use their legs for locomotion. The Fireman’s Carry is effective for longer transport of an unconscious person but is complex to execute and requires considerable strength.
Two-Person Techniques for Stability and Transfer
When time permits and a second person is available, two-person techniques are preferred because they maximize stability, control, and comfort. These methods are common in caregiving or controlled transfers, such as moving someone from a bed to a wheelchair. Clear communication is paramount, with one person designated as the leader to coordinate the lift and movement using a verbal count.
The Two-Handed Seat Carry, often called the Chair Carry, involves two rescuers facing each other on opposite sides of the person. Each rescuer places one arm around the person’s back and the other arm under their knees, grasping each other’s forearms or wrists to form a secure, cradle-like seat. For a person who can assist, the Four-Handed Seat Carry allows rescuers to interlock their hands to create a supportive seat while the person holds onto their necks or shoulders. This coordinated approach ensures the load is evenly distributed and lifted using synchronized leg power.
Determining When Movement Risks Severe Injury
Before any movement, a brief assessment must determine if the person has sustained an injury that could be worsened by transport, particularly to the neck or spine. Signs of potential spinal cord injury include severe pain in the neck or back, numbness or tingling in the extremities, or a loss of movement. The mechanism of injury, such as a fall from a height, a motor vehicle accident, or a blow to the head, should raise immediate suspicion of spinal trauma.
If a spinal injury is suspected, the person should not be moved unless the environment poses an immediate, life-threatening danger, such as fire, explosion risk, or toxic fumes. Instead, the priority is to stabilize the head and neck in the position found, using rolled towels or similar items to prevent any movement. Professional medical help should be called immediately, as moving a person with an unstable spinal injury can convert a partial injury into complete paralysis.