This guide provides non-professional individuals with safe, methodical instructions for assisting a heavy person who has fallen in a non-emergency situation. Moving a person of size without proper training or equipment carries a significant risk of injury to both the fallen individual and the helper. The techniques described are practical, temporary guidance only and should never replace professional medical or physical therapy training. Attempting any lift or transfer requires extreme caution, prioritizing the safety of all involved.
Immediate Assessment: When to Call for Emergency Help
The initial step before any movement is to confirm the fallen person is responsive and stable. Check immediately if the person is fully conscious, breathing normally, and able to communicate clearly. Ask them if they are experiencing pain, where they fell, and how long they have been on the floor.
Movement must be avoided entirely if the person reports pain in the head, neck, or back. Signs of severe injury, such as numbness, limb weakness, or visible broken bones, strongly suggest a potential spinal or internal injury. If these signs are present, stop all attempts to move the person and call local emergency services (like 911) for professional medical assistance.
If the person is unconscious, unresponsive, or appears confused, a full emergency response is required, and they must not be moved. Look for signs of trauma like bleeding, swelling, or an unnatural limb position, and defer to emergency medical personnel if any are present. Only proceed with moving techniques if the person is alert, cooperative, and confirms they have no pain or concerning symptoms.
Lifting Preparation and Safe Body Mechanics
Before attempting to assist, establish a safe environment and prepare your body for the physical exertion. Clear the immediate area of any potential hazards, such as throw rugs, small furniture, or loose objects that could interfere with movement or cause another fall. Determine if the fallen person can offer assistance or if you require additional helpers to manage the weight safely.
Proper body mechanics are necessary to protect the lifter from injury, particularly to the back, neck, and shoulders. Position your feet in a wide, staggered stance to create a broad base of support for better balance. Always keep the person being moved as close to your body as possible; this reduces strain by minimizing leverage on your spine.
When ready to lift, bend at your hips and knees, maintaining the natural curve of your back while keeping your head and neck aligned with your spine. The power for the lift must come from the stronger leg muscles, avoiding reliance on the smaller muscles in the back. Avoid twisting your torso; instead, change direction by pivoting your feet and turning your entire body. For a single untrained person, the recommended maximum weight to lift safely is approximately 35 pounds.
Step-by-Step Moving Techniques
The technique used to get a heavy person off the floor depends heavily on their ability to cooperate and assist the process.
Utilizing Low Furniture
This method is preferred when the person is fully cooperative and retains some strength and mobility. Place a sturdy, non-rolling chair or low, stable furniture nearby, positioning it close to the fallen person’s head. Help the person roll onto their side and encourage them to push up with their elbow and hand into a side-sitting position.
Next, guide them onto their hands and knees into a crawling position. Coach them to place their hands securely onto the seat of the chair for support. They should then place their strongest foot flat on the floor, shifting their body weight forward into a lunge position while pushing up with their arms.
Provide gentle support at their hips and torso as they use their own leg and arm strength to rise. Once standing, they can turn around and slowly lower themselves onto a nearby chair or sofa, feeling the seat behind them before sitting. This technique minimizes the amount of direct lifting required from the helper.
The Two-Person Lift
When the fallen person requires direct assistance and two helpers are available, a coordinated lift requires clear communication. Position the two helpers on either side of the fallen person, designating one person as the leader to coordinate the movement.
The helper at the head should reach under the fallen person’s armpits and grasp the person’s forearms or wrists, crossing the arms over the chest. The second helper should position themselves at the legs, reaching under the knees or grasping a gait belt if available.
Both helpers must assume the proper lifting stance—feet wide, knees bent, back straight—before the leader counts down to initiate the lift simultaneously. The goal is to lift the person in one slow, smooth motion, using leg strength, and move them toward a nearby stable surface like a chair or bed.
Assisted Rolling/Sliding
If the person is difficult to maneuver due to their size or confined space, a sturdy sheet or blanket can assist with repositioning. Roll the person gently onto their side, then tuck the folded sheet underneath them, ensuring it extends from their shoulders to below their hips. Once positioned, roll the person back onto their back.
The sheet acts as a sling, allowing the helper to pull the person across the floor surface without the friction of clothing or skin. Grasp the edges of the sheet firmly and use a rocking motion to slowly slide the person to a more open area or closer to furniture. This method reduces the risk of skin tears and minimizes strain on the helper’s body.