The term “dead weight person” describes an individual who is unresponsive, limp, or unconscious, offering no physical assistance during movement. Moving a person in this state is inherently high-risk for both the individual and the rescuer due to the complete lack of muscle tone and resulting instability of the body’s mass. The weight of an unresponsive person is concentrated and difficult to manage, which significantly increases the potential for muscle strain or back injury in the person attempting the lift.
Scene Safety and Injury Assessment
Before any attempt to move an unresponsive person, a mandatory assessment of the immediate environment must be completed to ensure the rescuer’s safety. Never move into a situation where the danger, such as a fire, live electrical wire, or toxic fumes, is ongoing. The only reason to move an injured or unconscious person immediately is if they are in immediate, life-threatening danger, such as being in the path of a collapsing structure or a rapidly rising flood.
A rapid, non-invasive check for severe trauma must precede any movement to avoid worsening a potential injury. You must be especially mindful of injuries to the head, neck, and spine, as movement in these areas can cause permanent neurological damage. If a spinal injury is suspected, movement must be avoided unless the person’s survival depends on it. If movement is absolutely necessary, the goal is to keep the spine as straight and aligned as possible throughout the process.
Proper Body Mechanics for Injury Prevention
Protecting the lifter from musculoskeletal strain is paramount, especially when dealing with a floppy, dead weight load that provides no counterbalance. The foundation of safe lifting begins with a wide, stable stance, positioning the feet shoulder-width apart or with one foot slightly in front of the other to create a strong base of support. The power for the lift must come from the largest muscle groups in the body—the legs and glutes—by bending at the knees, similar to a squat, rather than bending over at the waist.
The load, which is the person being moved, must be kept as close to the rescuer’s body as possible to minimize the leverage forces acting on the spine. Holding the weight further away dramatically increases the compressive load on the lifter’s back. Maintaining a straight back and engaging the core muscles helps stabilize the torso, which protects the weaker spinal muscles. Under no circumstances should the rescuer twist or make jerky movements while lifting or carrying the dead weight, as this dramatically increases the risk of a debilitating back injury.
Ground-Level Movement Techniques
When vertical lifting is not possible or necessary, ground-level movement techniques allow for short-distance relocation without the full strain of a vertical lift. The blanket drag is the preferred method for sliding an unresponsive person, as it helps distribute the person’s weight and provides a more stable surface for movement. The person is rolled onto a blanket or rug, and the rescuer then pulls the material, ensuring the pull is straight and in-line with the person’s body to minimize torso flexion.
A simple clothing drag can be used if no blanket is available, which involves grasping the person’s clothing firmly under the shoulders, keeping the rescuer’s arms on both sides of the person’s head to provide some support. In both dragging methods, the rescuer should keep their back as straight as possible and use their leg muscles to pull the load, taking care to keep the person’s head from bouncing over surface imperfections. Dragging should always be performed in a straight line toward safety, as the goal is a rapid, minimally disruptive move away from immediate danger.
Vertical Lifting and Two-Person Carries
Vertical lifting, which is required to get a person upright or over obstacles, is the most physically demanding maneuver, especially with dead weight.
Fireman’s Carry (Single Lifter)
The Fireman’s Carry, a technique where the person is draped over the rescuer’s shoulders, should only be considered as a last resort for single lifters. Positioning an unconscious person into this carry from the ground is extremely difficult and requires significant strength and coordination. The lifter must first raise the limp body to a standing or kneeling position before hoisting it onto the shoulders.
Two-Person Seat Carry
The preferred and significantly safer method, when a second person is available, is the Two-Person Seat Carry. For this technique, the two rescuers face each other on either side of the person, who is placed in a semi-sitting position. The rescuers interlock arms behind the person’s back and under their knees, effectively creating a stable chair with their arms. The strongest person should ideally be positioned at the head and shoulders, which is the heaviest part of the load.
Coordination is absolutely mandatory for a successful two-person lift, with one person designated to call out the timing of the lift, typically on a count of three. Both rescuers must squat down together, secure their grips, and then lift simultaneously by straightening their legs, keeping the person’s body close to their own. Using a stable, sturdy chair can also assist with moving an unresponsive person vertically or down stairs, reducing the direct strain on the rescuers by providing a frame of support.