This document provides guidance on safely moving and lifting patients for first responders. It advises waiting for professional help in most cases but sometimes a victim needs to be moved to protect them from danger or provide care. Proper body mechanics should be used to minimize risk of back injury, including planning the lift, maintaining good posture, and communicating with partners. Techniques for the recovery position, log rolling, vehicle extrication, emergency drags, and carries are described while keeping the head and spine stabilized and in line. Rapid movement is discouraged to avoid aggravating potential spinal injuries.

1. By:By:
Special Rescue Unit BFP RXI
Lifting and MovingLifting and Moving
PatientsPatients

2. Moving VictimsMoving Victims
 Moving injured victim likely to cause furtherMoving injured victim likely to cause further
injuryinjury
 In most cases wait for professional helpIn most cases wait for professional help
 May have to move victim to protect fromMay have to move victim to protect from
danger at scenedanger at scene
 May have to move victim to flat surface toMay have to move victim to flat surface to
provide CPRprovide CPR

3. Indication of emergencyIndication of emergency
rescuerescue
 Back injury is hazard for First RespondersBack injury is hazard for First Responders
 To minimize risks, use good bodyTo minimize risks, use good body
mechanicsmechanics
 Body mechanics are principles of usingBody mechanics are principles of using
your body safelyyour body safely

4. Body Mechanics and Lifting
TechniquesTechniques
 Know your physical ability and limitationsKnow your physical ability and limitations
 Plan the liftPlan the lift
 Ensure you have a good gripEnsure you have a good grip
 Test the loadTest the load
 Position your feet properly before starting liftPosition your feet properly before starting lift
 Lift with your legs, not with your backLift with your legs, not with your back
 Keep patient’s weight close to your bodyKeep patient’s weight close to your body
 Avoid twisting your back during the liftAvoid twisting your back during the lift
 Communicate clearly with your partner andCommunicate clearly with your partner and
other EMS providersother EMS providers

5. Patient PositioningPatient Positioning
 Reposition a patient only when necessaryReposition a patient only when necessary
 Reposition a breathing, unresponsive, non-Reposition a breathing, unresponsive, non-
trauma patient in the recovery positiontrauma patient in the recovery position
 Don’t move or reposition a trauma patientDon’t move or reposition a trauma patient
unless necessary to treat life-threateningunless necessary to treat life-threatening
conditioncondition
 Allow responsive patient to assumeAllow responsive patient to assume
comfortable positioncomfortable position

8. Skill:Skill:
Recovery PositionRecovery Position
(Modified HAINES)(Modified HAINES)

16. Log RollLog Roll
 Use log roll to move patient from prone toUse log roll to move patient from prone to
supinesupine
 Three to five rescuers are needed to safelyThree to five rescuers are needed to safely
roll patientroll patient
 For trauma patient with spinal injury,For trauma patient with spinal injury,
stabilize head in line with bodystabilize head in line with body

17. Log Roll continuedLog Roll continued
1.1. The rescuer at the patient’s head holds the head inThe rescuer at the patient’s head holds the head in
line with the body as two or three additionalline with the body as two or three additional
rescuers take position with hands at the patient’srescuers take position with hands at the patient’s
lower and upper leg, hip and torso, and shoulder.lower and upper leg, hip and torso, and shoulder.
2.2. At the direction of the responder at the head, theAt the direction of the responder at the head, the
rescuers in unison roll the patient toward them, withrescuers in unison roll the patient toward them, with
the head held in line and the spine straight.the head held in line and the spine straight.
3.3. The rescuers complete the log roll, positioning theThe rescuers complete the log roll, positioning the
patient on the back with head and neck still in linepatient on the back with head and neck still in line
with the body.with the body.

19. Risk of Spinal InjuryRisk of Spinal Injury
• Moving patient quickly risks aggravating aMoving patient quickly risks aggravating a
spinal injuryspinal injury
• Keep head and neck in line with spineKeep head and neck in line with spine
• It is impossible to protect spine whileIt is impossible to protect spine while
removing patient from a vehicle quicklyremoving patient from a vehicle quickly

20. Extrication from VehiclesExtrication from Vehicles
 First Responders may be trained inFirst Responders may be trained in
rapid extrication using cervical collarrapid extrication using cervical collar
and inline stabilization of head/neckand inline stabilization of head/neck
 Follow local protocolFollow local protocol
 Wait for EMTs trained in specialWait for EMTs trained in special
extrication techniquesextrication techniques

21. One-Rescuer EmergencyOne-Rescuer Emergency
DragsDrags
 Pull/drag patient in direction of long axisPull/drag patient in direction of long axis
of bodyof body
 Don’t drag patient sideways, and avoidDon’t drag patient sideways, and avoid
twisting neck/trunktwisting neck/trunk
 Never pull head away from neck/shouldersNever pull head away from neck/shoulders
 Risk of spinal injury can be minimized byRisk of spinal injury can be minimized by
using a blanket, rug, board, etcusing a blanket, rug, board, etc
 Choice of move depends on materials atChoice of move depends on materials at
hand, patient’s condition, and situationhand, patient’s condition, and situation

22. One-Rescuer EmergencyOne-Rescuer Emergency
DragsDrags
 Clothing DragClothing Drag
 Blanket DragBlanket Drag
 Shoulder DragShoulder Drag
 Firefighter’s DragFirefighter’s Drag
 Upper Extremity DragUpper Extremity Drag
 Upper Extremity Drag for Rapid ExtricationUpper Extremity Drag for Rapid Extrication

23. Emergency CarriesEmergency Carries
 Used when patient must be movedUsed when patient must be moved
immediatelyimmediately
 One or more rescuers may carry patientOne or more rescuers may carry patient
 Method used depends on patient’s size,Method used depends on patient’s size,
condition and situation:condition and situation:
 Walking assistWalking assist
 Cradle carryCradle carry
 Multiple-rescuer techniques are safer/lessMultiple-rescuer techniques are safer/less
stressfulstressful