EMERGENCY RESCUE TRANSFER

This part presents the emergency rescue techniques for different situations in consideration of the
injuries suffered by the victim. The different methods of emergency rescue transfer are also discussed in this
chapter. Some pictures are provided for better understanding, but demonstrations and return –
demonstrations are imperative to effectively learn the skills of emergency rescue transfer methods.

Definition of Terms
1. Emergency Rescue is the rapid movement of victim/s from an unsafe place to a safe place.
2. Transfer refers to the moving of a victim from one place to another after giving the first aid.
3. Dragging refers to the act of rescuer of cautiously pulling a victim by the shoulders or feet on a
smooth ground. This is usually done if the rescuer is alone and is not strong enough to carry the
victim.
Indications for Emergency Rescue
1. Danger of fire or explosion
2. Danger of toxic gases or asphyxia due to lack of oxygen
3. Serious traffic hazards
4. Risk of drowning
5. Danger of electrocution
6. Danger of collapsing walls
Factors to be Considered in the Selection of Transfer Method
1. Nature and severity of the injury
2. Size and weight of the victim
3. Physical capabilities of the first aider
4. Number of personnel and equipment available
5. Nature of the evacuation route
6. Distance to be covered
7. Sex of the victim/s (last consideration)
Pointers to be Observed During Transfer
1. Victim’s airway must be kept open.
2. Prevent hemorrhage to avoid shock.
3. Victim should be safely maintained in the correct position.
4. Regularly check the victim’s condition.
5. Supporting bandages and dressing should be effectively applied.
6. The method of transfer is safe, comfortable and as speedy as circumstances permit.
7. The patient’s body should be moved as one unit to avoid injury at the joints and extremeties.
8. The taller first aiders should stay at the head of the victim.
9. First aiders must observe ergonomics in lifting and moving the patient.
METHODS OF EMERGENCY RESCUE TRANSFER
A. One-man Carry Methods

1. Lover’s carry or Carry-in-arms is commonly used by any person in carrying or transporting

another.
 2. Fireman’s Carry is used when there is no injury at or there is near the abdomen.

3. Pack Strap Carry is usually used to carry victim for a short distance.

4. Piggy Back Carry is used to transport victims for longer distances.

B. One-man Assist/Drag Methods

1. Assist to Walk is usually done to assist a person who cannot walk by himself or herself due
to injury or illness.
2. Cloth Drag is used when cloth is available. The surface of the ground should be smooth
when performing this drag to avoid further injury to the victim.

3. Feet Drag is used when the ground is smooth by fixing the hands and dragging the victim by
the feet.

4. Armpit/Shoulder Drag is used to drag a victim by the armpits away from an unsafe place.

5. Blanket Drag is used when the victim is lying on a blanket. This is done by holding the ends
of the blanket and gently dragging the blanket carrying the victim.
 6. Fireman’s Drag is done in a building that is burning and that the victims are confirmed to be
still inside. The rescuer crawls at estimated one foot on the floor and look for victims to
rescue. This is also used to avoid smoke inhalation injuries while rescuing during a fire.

7. Inclined Drag is used when transporting a victim, especially on stairways. Always remember
to elevate the head of victim while walking to prevent him or her from losing consciousness.

C. Two-man Assist/Carry Methods

1. Four-hand Seat is used when the victim is conscious.

2. Hands as a Litter is applied when the victim is not conscious.

3. Carry by Extremities is applied when injuries of victim are at the body parts except the
hands and feet.
 4. Assist to Walk is applied when a person cannot walk alone, especially for persons under the
influence of liquor or drugs.

5. Chair Carry is a method of carrying the victim by letting him or her sit on a strong chair and
letting at least two individuals carry the chair with the victim on it.

6. Fireman’s Carry with Assistance is used when there are a lot of victims who need
immediate transfer from an unsafe to a safe place.

D. Three-man Carry Methods

1. Hammock Carry is used to carry a victim who cannot be carried by a single rescuer because
of heavy weight, nature of injury, and nature of terrain. This method is transporting a victim
is ideal for wide alleys.
 2. Bearers Alongside is usually used in narrow alleys. The rescuers carry the victim along one
side of the victim. The victim is clipped against the chests of the rescuers to avoid falling and
further injury.

E. Improvised Stretcher Using two Poles

Materials:
1. Blanket
2. Empty sacks
3. Shirts or coats
4. Triangular bandages

F. Four/Six/Eight-man Carry can be done when the weight of the victim/patient cannot be carried
by 1-3 persons. The procedure is the same with three-man carry.
G. Blanket Carry is different from the stretcher and that it uses a blanket with poles. This is done
by proper insertion of blanket under the victim, testing the blanket and lifting.
H. Commercial Stretcher is a ready-made stretcher designed for the purpose of carrying a
victim/patient.
I. Ambulance/Rescue Van. Most ambulances are designed with stretchers inside that can be
folded to serve as a bed for patients/victims. Others may also be used as rescue vehicles for the
purpose of transferring victims.

Initial Triage and Tagging

Triage and tagging are done to prioritize victims in a mass disaster such as plane crash, vehicular
accident, earthquake, massive landslide, flood, fire and other natural or man-made disasters. It also refers to
the method of sorting patients into categories of priority for care and transport based on the severity of
injuries and medical emergencies.
The S.T.A.R.T. System refers to Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment. It is one method of triages that
has been proven to be effective.

Tagging of Victims/Patients

1. Red Tag (1st Priority). The victim has a life threatening or serious injury that needs immediate first
aid and rescue.
2. Yellow Tag (2nd Priority). The victim has a less threatening injury and care can be delayed within one
hour.
3. Green Tag (3rd Priority). The victim can walk on his/her own; rescue/assistance of victim maybe
delayed.
4. Black Tag (4th Priority). No care is required. The victim is dead or close to death. All victims tagged
with Black shall be the last priority during rescue operations.
Specific Body Injuries

1. Blows to the eye. This may include chemical burns, or trauma due to foreign objects.
2. Nosebleeds
3. Knocked-out teeth
4. Impaled by objects
5. Amputations
6. Sucking chest wound
7. Abdominal injuries. This may include protruding organs.