LIFTING AND MOVING LIFTING AND MOVING PATIENTSPATIENTS

Emergency rescueEmergency rescue

A procedure of rapid moving a A procedure of rapid moving a patient from unsafe to safer place.patient from unsafe to safer place.

Indication for emergency rescueIndication for emergency rescue

Danger of:Danger of:– Fire Fire – ExplosionExplosion– Toxic gasesToxic gases– Serious traffic hazardsSerious traffic hazards– Risk of drowningRisk of drowning– Danger of electrocutionDanger of electrocution– Collapsing wallCollapsing wall

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Consideration:Consideration:– Nature and severity of injuryNature and severity of injury– Size of patientSize of patient– Physical capabilities of the responderPhysical capabilities of the responder– Number of personnel and equipment Number of personnel and equipment

availableavailable– DistanceDistance– SexSex

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.

Proper Lifting

Performing the Power Lift (1 of 3)

Tighten your back in its normal upright position.Spread your legs apart about 15".Grasp with arms extended down the side of the 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 palm up.• Hands should be at least 10" 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.• Never grasp a litter or backboard with the hands placed palms-down over the handle.

Weight and DistributionPatient will be heavier on head end.Patients on a backboard or stretcher should be diamond carried.

Diamond Carry

One rescuer at head end

One rescuer at foot end

One rescuer on each side of the patient’s torso

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.

General Considerations

Plan the move.

Look for options that cause the least strain.

Wheeled Ambulance Stretcher or Cot

Patient-Moving Equipment (3 of 3)

Scoop stretcher

Stair chair

Backboard

Directions and Commands

Anticipate and understand every move.

Moves must be coordinated.

Orders should be given in two parts.

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.

Methods of transferMethods of transferOne rescuer techniqueOne rescuer technique– Assist to walkAssist to walk– Pack strap carryPack strap carry– Piggy back carryPiggy back carry– Fireman’s carryFireman’s carry– Lovers carryLovers carry

Drag techniqueDrag technique– Fireman’s dragFireman’s drag– Blanket dragBlanket drag

Methods of transferMethods of transferTwo rescuers assist/carriesTwo rescuers assist/carries– Assist to walkAssist to walk– Four / three hand seatFour / three hand seat– Hand as a litterHand as a litter– Carry by extremitiesCarry by extremities– Chair as a litterChair as a litterThree/four/six rescuer techniqueThree/four/six rescuer technique– Bearer alongsideBearer alongside– Hammock carryHammock carry– Blanket carryBlanket carry– Improvised stretcherImprovised stretcher