This document provides information on rescuing and moving victims in various emergency situations. It discusses water rescues using the reach-throw-row-go method. It also covers care for drowning victims and hazards of cold-water immersion. Multiple techniques are presented for safely moving victims without worsening injuries, including carries and improvised litters. Proper triage of multiple victims is also addressed.

1. Chapter 25
Rescuing and Moving
Victims

2. Water Rescue (1 of 3)
• Reach-throw-row-go
• Reach for the victim.
• Requires an object
that can be extended
to the victim.
• Throw anything that
floats.
• Tie a rope to the
object if possible.

3. Water Rescue (2 of 3)
• Reach-throw-row-go (cont’d)
• Row to the victim.
• If victim is out of throwing range
• Go by swimming (must be trained).

4. Water Rescue (3 of 3)

5. Near-Drowning
• Drowning: Suffocation by immersion
in water or other liquid.
• Near-drowning: A victim survives an
immersion incident.

6. Types of Drownings
• Dry drownings
• No water passes the vocal cords.
• Wet drownings
• Water, vomitus, or foreign bodies are
aspirated into the lungs
• Secondary drownings
• Resuscitated victim dies within 96 hours.

7. Care for Drowning
• Survey the scene before rescue.
• If the victim was diving, suspect a
possible spinal injury.
• Check breathing; treat accordingly.
• If no spinal injury is suspected,
place victim on his or her side.

8. Cold-Water Immersion (1 of 2)
• Cold water is water less than 70°F.
• Cold water causes heat loss 25 times
faster than cold air.
• Survivors should get as much of their
bodies out of water as possible.
• Two potential medical emergencies
• Drowning and hypothermia

9. Cold-Water Immersion (2 of 2)
• Cooling speed depends on:
• Body fat
• Body type
• Physical fitness
• Water temperature
• Clothing
• Alcohol
• Behavior

10. Heat Escape Lessening
Position (HELP)
• Draw knees up close to
chest
• Press arms to the sides
• Remain as quiet as
possible
• Two or more people
should huddle together
quietly.
• Requires personal
flotation devices

11. Ice Rescue (1 of 2)
Near the shore:
•Extend a pole or throw a line to victim with
floatable object attached to it.
•Pull victim toward shore or edge of ice.

12. Ice Rescue (2 of 2)
Away from the shore:
•Lie flat and push a
ladder, plank, or similar
object ahead of you.
•Tie a rope to a spare
tire and an anchor point
on shore.

13. Electrical Emergency Rescue
(1 of 2)
• Electricity enters the body at the point of
contact and travels along the nerves and
blood vessels.
• Most indoor electrocutions are caused by:
• Faulty electrical equipment
• Careless use of electrical appliances.

14. Electrical Emergency Rescue
(2 of 2)
• Before touching the victim:
• Turn off the electricity.
• If you feel a tingling, do not approach.
• Raise one foot and hop to safety.
• If a power line falls over a car, the driver
and passenger should stay in the car.
• Unless a fire or explosion threatens

15. Hazardous Materials Incidents (1 of 2)
• Signs of hazardous materials:
• Warning signs on vehicle
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

16. Hazardous Materials Incidents (2 of 2)
• Signs of hazardous materials (cont’d):
• Leaks or spills
• Strong, noxious odors
• Cloud or strange-looking smoke

17. Motor Vehicle Crashes (1 of 2)
• In most states, you are legally obligated
to stop and help when you are involved
in a crash.
• Park at least five car lengths away.
• If police have not arrived call 9-1-1.
• Turn on emergency hazard flashers.
• Make sure scene is safe.

18. Motor Vehicle Crashes (2 of 2)
• If you suspect spinal injuries, stabilize
head and neck.
• Check and monitor breathing.
• If possible, wait for EMS personnel to
remove victims.
• Allow EMS to transport victims.

19. Fires (1 of 2)
• Get all people out of the area
quickly.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Use a fire extinguisher if fire is small
and escape route is clear.
• Aim directly at whatever is burning
• Sweep across at base of flames

20. Fires (2 of 2)
• If clothing catches fire:
• Tear article off away from face
• Keep victim from running.
• Wrap a rug or blanket around victim’s
neck or throw a blanket on the victim.
• Smother the flames by rolling the victim
on the floor.

21. Threatening Dogs
• Look for signs of a dog before entering.
• Proceed with caution.
• Ask owner to control a threatening dog.
• Consider using a fire extinguisher, water
hose, or pepper spray.
• Call police for assistance with a vicious
dog.

22. Farm Animals
• Farm animals can be dangerous.
• Approach situation with caution.
• Do not frighten an animal.
• Use food to lure the animal away.

23. Confined Spaces (1 of 2)
• Any area not intended for human
occupancy that may have or develop
a dangerous atmosphere
• Three types of confined spaces:
• Below ground
• Ground level
• Above ground

24. Confined Spaces (2 of 2)
• If someone enters and signals for help or
becomes unresponsive:
• Call 9-1-1.
• Do not rush in to help.
• Try to rescue after help arrives.
• Only trained and properly equipped
rescuers should enter the space.
• Provide care once the victim is removed.

25. Triage: What to Do with
Multiple Victims
• Triage is the process of prioritizing or
classifying injured victims.
• Greatest good for the greatest
number

26. Finding Life-Threatened Victims
• Tell all victims who can walk to move to
a specific area.
• Walking wounded: delayed care
• Do not force victim to move
• Perform primary check on remaining
victims

27. Classifying Victims
• Immediate care
• Delayed care
• Up to 1 hour
• Walking wounded
• Up to 3 hours
• Dead

28. Moving Victims
• All necessary first aid should be
provided before moving victim
• Only move if there is immediate danger.
• Fire
• Explosives or hazardous materials
• Impossible to protect from hazards
• Impossible to access other victims

29. Emergency Moves (1 of 7)
• Every effort should be made to pull
victim in the direction of the long axis of
the body to protect spinal cord.
• Use various techniques.

30. Emergency Moves (2 of 7)
• Shoulder drag
• Ankle drag
• Blanket pull

31. Emergency Moves (3 of 7)
• Human crutch
• Cradle carry

32. Emergency Moves (4 of 7)
• Fire fighter’s carry
• Pack-strap carry
• Piggyback carry

33. Emergency Moves (5 of 7)
• Two-person assist
• Two-handed seat
carry

34. Emergency Moves (6 of 7)
• Four-handed seat
carry
• Extremity carry
• Chair carry

35. Emergency Moves (7 of 7)
• Hammock carry

36. Nonemergency Moves (1 of 3)
• All injured parts should be
stabilized before and during
moving.
• The safest way to carry an
injured victim is on some type of
stretcher or litter.

37. Nonemergency Moves (2 of 3)
• Blanket-and-pole
improvised
stretcher
• Blanket with no
poles

38. Nonemergency Moves (3 of 3)
• Board-improvised
stretcher
• Commercial
stretchers and
litters