LIFTING AND
MOVING
MMDA - Public Safety Division
LESSON
OBJECTIVE
Upon completion of this lesson, the
participant will be able to:
1. Define body mechanics.
2. Discuss the guidelines and safety
precautions that need to be followed
when lifting a patient.
3. Describe the safe lifting of cots and
stretchers.
LESSON
OBJECTIVE
4. Describe the guidelines and safety
precautions for carrying patients and /
or equipment.
5. Discuss one-handed carrying
techniques.
6. Describe correct and safe carrying
procedures on stairs.
7. Discuss the general considerations of
moving patients.
LESSON
OBJECTIVE
8. Identify the following patient – carrying
devices:
Wheeled ambulance stretcher
Stair chair
Scoop Stretcher
Long spine board
Basket Stretcher
WHAT DO THINK
ABOUT THIS VIDEO?
MOVING AND POSITIONING THE
PATIENT
Take care to avoid injury
whenever a patient is moved.
Practice using equipment.
Know that certain patient
conditions call for special
techniques.
DIRECTIONS AND COMMANDS
Anticipate and understand
every move.
Moves must be
coordinated.
Orders should be given in
two parts.
BODY MECHANICS
Shoulder girdle should be aligned over
the pelvis.
Lifting should be done with legs.
Weight should be kept close to the
body.
Grasp should be made with PALMS UP.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
Find out how much the patient weighs.
Know how much you can safely lift.
Communicate with your partners.
Do not attempt to lift a patient who
weighs over 250 lbs with fewer than four
rescuers.
Avoid unnecessary lifting or carrying.
PROPER LIFTING
PERFORMING THE POWER LIFT (1 OF 3)
Tighten your back in normal upright
position.
Spread your legs apart about 5 inches.
Grasp with arms extended down side of
body.
Adjust your orientation
and position.
Reposition feet.
Lift by straightening
legs.
PERFORMING THE POWER LIFT (2 OF 3)
A power grip gets the maximum force
from your hands.
Arms and hands face PALMS UP.
Hands should be at least 10 inches apart.
Each hand goes under the handle with the
palm facing up and the thumb extended
upward.
PERFORMING THE POWER LIFT (3 OF
3)
Curl fingers and thumb
tightly over the top of the
handle.
Grasp a litter or backboard
with the hands placed
palms-down over the
handle.
WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION
Patient will be heavier on head
end.
Patients on a backboard or
stretcher should be diamond
carried.
DIAMOND CARRY
Four Rescuers lift device while facing
patient.
Rescuer at foot end turns around to face
forward.
Rescuers at sides turn.
Four Rescuers face same direction when
walking.
ONE-HANDED CARRYING
Face each other and use both hands.
Lift the backboard to carrying height.
Turn in the direction you will walk and
switch to using one hand.
CARRYING BACKBOARD OR COT
ON STAIRS
Strap patient securely to the backboard.
Carry patient down stairs foot end first,
head end elevated.
Carry patient up stairs head end first.
USING A CHAIR
Secure patient to chair with straps or T-
Bandage.
Rescuers take their places: one at head
and one at each sides.
Rescuer at the head gives directions.
Use chair as a liter technique .
WHEELED AMBULANCE
STRETCHER OR COT
STAIR CHAIR
BACKBOARD
SCOOP STRETCHER
HALF-SPINE BOARD OR HALF
BOARD
PRINCIPLES OF SAFE REACHING
AND PULLING ( 1 O F 3 )
Back should always be locked and
straight.
Avoid any twisting of the back.
Avoid hyperextending the back.
When pulling a patient on the ground,
kneel to minimize the distance.
PRINCIPLES OF SAFE REACHING
AND PULLING ( 2 O F 2 )
Use a sheet or blanket if you must
drag a patient across a bed.
Unless on a backboard, transfer
patient from the cot to a bed with a
body drag.
Kneel as close as possible to
patient when performing a log roll.
EMERGENCY MOVES
Performed if there is some potential
danger for you or the patient
Performed if necessary to reach another
patient who needs lifesaving care
Performed if unable to properly assess
patient due to location
EMERGENCY DRAGS (1 OF 2)
Clothes Drag
Blanket or Carpet Drag
EMERGENCY DRAGS (2 OF 2)
Arm Drag
Leg Drag
Arm-to-
Arm
Drag
ONE-RESCUER DRAGS,
CARRIES, AND LIFTS ( 1 O F 4 )
Front Fire fighter’s
cradle drag
ONE-RESCUER DRAGS,
CARRIES,
AND LIFTS ( 2 O F 4 )
Assist to Fire fighter’s
Walk carry
ONE-RESCUER DRAGS,
CARRIES,
AND LIFTS ( 3 O F 4 )
Pack Piggy
strap Back
ONE-RESCUER DRAGS,
CARRIES,
AND LIFTS ( 4 O F 4 )
Four Hand Two Hand
Seat Carry Seat Carry
NON-URGENT MOVES (1 OF 2)
Direct ground
lift
NONURGENT MOVES (2 OF 2)
Extremity lift
TRANSFER MOVES
Direct carry
Draw sheet
method
URGENT MOVES
Used to move a patient who
has potentially unstable
injuries
Use the rapid extrication
technique to move patients
seated in a vehicle.
WHEN TO USE RAPID EXTRICATION
TECHNIQUE
Vehicle or scene is unsafe.
Patient cannot be properly
assessed.
Patient requires immediate care.
Patient’s condition requires
immediate transport.
Patient is blocking access to
another seriously injured patient.
ONE-PERSON RAPID
EXTRICATION
LIFTS, CARRIES, DRAGS OR
MOVES
Carries and Lifts : Emergency Transfer
Drags: Moves:
• Assist to walk
• Fire Fighter’s • Blanket Drag • Direct Carry
Carry • EAxtremity • Draw Sheet
• Hand as a Litter Drag
• Extremity Lift • Arm to Arm
• Lover’s Carry Drag
• Two Man Carry • Fire Fighter’s
• Piggy Back Drag
• Packs Strap • Clothes Drag
• Direct Ground
Lift
HINDRANCES THAT AFFECTS
THE RESCUERS IN THE AREA
Unfavorable surroundings
-Unsafe area. Crowd control is important.
The more people at the scene the harder
to control the crowd.
-Extreme weather conditions.
HINDRANCES THAT AFFECTS
THE RESCUERS IN THE AREA
Physical and
Mental State of
Rescuer
-Emotional Distress
-Tired
-Stress
-Sick or Injured
THANK YOU VERY MUCH…
