Moving a person in an emergency requires careful technique to prevent further injury to the person being moved and to safeguard the carrier’s physical well-being. This knowledge is necessary when professional medical help is not immediately available and rapid action is demanded. The priority is the safety of both individuals, ensuring that any action taken does not worsen the existing circumstances. Understanding proper methods for lifting and carrying can make a difference in a high-stress situation.
Determining When and How to Move Someone
The decision to move an injured person should only be made after a rapid assessment of the situation. The cardinal rule of emergency care is to avoid movement unless the person’s life is in immediate peril due to the environment. Dangers that necessitate movement include fire, explosive hazards, a collapsing structure, or being in the path of traffic.
If trauma suggests a head or neck injury, assume a spinal injury is present. In such cases, movement risks severing the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis, so movement must be avoided unless the person faces certain death by staying put. If movement is absolutely unavoidable, use a drag technique that minimizes spinal flexion and rotation. Before any action, quickly check the person’s level of consciousness to determine if they can assist.
Body Mechanics for Safe Lifting
Proper body mechanics are crucial for preventing the rescuer from becoming an additional casualty, as back injuries are common when lifting dead weight. To establish a stable base, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly ahead of the other, similar to a “karate stance.” This wide stance helps maintain balance.
The power for the lift must come from the large muscles of your legs, not the smaller muscles of your back. Always squat down by bending at the hips and knees, keeping your back straight and your head and neck aligned with your spine. Engage your core muscles to create a supportive cylinder around your torso, which enhances stability.
The person being moved should be kept as close as possible to your body’s center of gravity to reduce strain on your back. Avoid twisting your torso while holding weight; instead, use small steps to pivot your entire body in the direction you need to go. If the load is too heavy or awkward, always seek assistance, as the maximum safe weight limit for one person is often cited around 35 pounds.
Essential One-Person Techniques
When you are the sole rescuer, the chosen technique depends on the urgency of the move and the person’s ability to assist. For an unconscious or severely injured person who must be moved quickly from immediate danger, the Emergency Drag is the safest technique to minimize spinal movement.
Emergency Drag Techniques
For the Clothes Drag, grasp the person’s clothing firmly behind the neck, bunching it up to cradle the head, and use your legs to pull them along the floor.
If a blanket, rug, or sheet is available, the Blanket Drag is preferred, as it distributes the person’s weight and shields the body from the ground. Roll the person onto the material, wrap the excess around them, and use the ends of the fabric to pull, keeping the movement in a straight line.
Assisted Carries
For a conscious person who can slightly assist or is only lightly injured, the Pack-Strap Carry is more stable for longer distances. To execute this, help the person sit up and bring both their arms over your shoulders, crossing their wrists across your chest. Grasp their wrists firmly, squat down, and stand up using your legs, leaning forward slightly to balance their weight on your hips.
The Fireman’s Carry is a demanding technique best suited for carrying a person over a long distance, but it requires significant strength and careful maneuvering to lift the person onto your shoulders.
Safe Team-Based Lifting Methods
When two or more rescuers are present, coordination allows for a much safer, more stable lift, reducing the strain on any single person. Before attempting any team lift, one person must be designated as the leader to issue clear, synchronized commands. This ensures that all rescuers lift and lower simultaneously, preventing sudden shifts in weight that can cause injury.
Two-Person Seat Carry
The Two-Person Seat Carry is ideal for a conscious or cooperative person who needs to be transported over a moderate distance. The two rescuers face each other, link arms behind the person’s back, and then grasp each other’s wrists to form a sturdy seat under the person’s thighs. This technique requires the person to be able to use their arms to hold onto the rescuers’ necks for balance.
Extremity Lift
The Extremity Lift is an effective two-person method for moving a person who is unable to walk, provided they are not suspected of having hip, arm, or leg injuries. One rescuer kneels at the person’s head and grasps them under the armpits, securing their forearms. The second rescuer kneels at the feet and grasps them behind the knees. On the verbal count of the leader, both rescuers stand simultaneously, moving the person as a synchronized unit. Clear communication, such as “Ready team? Lift on three—one, two, three, LIFT,” is paramount to distribute the weight evenly and execute the movement with minimal risk.