EMT-B Slide Series

1
Lifting and Moving Patients
CHAPTER 6
2
Body Mechanics
Lifting
3
Body mechanics
The principles of effective movement used in
lifting and moving patients.
Use of proper body mechanics reduces the EMS
providers chances of being injured.
4
Use your legs, NOT your back!
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Proper Lifting

• Use a minimum of two people
• Call for additional help if necessary
• Use an even number of people to maintain balance
• Know the weight limitations of equipment
• If the lifting situation is unsafe, dont move
  the patient
• Keep weight as close to body as possible

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Improper Lifting -- Back Bent
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Improper Lifting -- Torso Twisted
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Proper Lifting Technique
Squat lift (or power-lift).
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Lifting a Stretcher
Squat, bending at the knees.
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Lifting a Stretcher continued
Use the power grip.
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Lifting a Stretcher continued
Stand up while locking your back.
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Carrying
13
Proper position for two persons carrying a
stretcher.
14
One-handed technique with multiple rescuers.
15
Moving a patient with a stair chair.
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Procedures on Stairs

• Carry patients head-first up stairs
• Carry patients feet-first down stairs
• Use a stair chair or sturdy kitchen chair
• Keep back in locked position
• Flex at hips, not waist
• Keep weight and arms as close to your body as
  possible

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Take special care when moving patients up or down
stairs.
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Reaching
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Proper Reaching

• Keep back straight while leaningover patient
• Lean from the hips
• Use shoulder muscles to help
• Avoid twisting while reaching
• Avoid hyper-extended position when reaching
  overhead

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Log Roll
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Log Roll continued
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Log Roll continued
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Log Roll continued
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Pushing and Pulling
25
Whenever possible, PUSH rather than pull a
patient into position.
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Principles of Moving Patients
Emergency Moves
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Emergency Move Considerations

• Fire or danger of fire
• Explosives or hazardous materials
• Inability to protect patient from hazards
• Inability to access other patients requiring
  life-saving care
• Other situations that have the potential for
  causing injury
• Inability to provide life-saving care due to
  patient location or position

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Always suspect a spinal injury when moving a
trauma patient...
...especially if the mechanism suggests it!
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Clothing Pull Technique
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Blanket Drag Technique
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Pulling the patient underthe arms.
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Patients must be moved rapidly in the event of a
hazardous situation.
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Urgent Moves
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Urgent Move Considerations

• Unresponsive or incoherent patient
• Inadequate breathing
• Signs and symptoms of severe shock

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Rapid Extrication
Patients head is brought into a neutral in-line
position.
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Rapid Extrication continued
C-collar is placed after manual stabilization
established.
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Rapid Extrication continued
Patients legs are freed and then rotated onto
backboard.
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Rapid Extrication continued
After rotation, patient is lowered onto the
backboard.
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Rapid Extrication continued
Head is immobilized before moving the patient
further.
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Rapid Extrication continued
Patient is slid in short increments until in
position.
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Nonurgent Moves
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Direct Ground Lift
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Direct Ground Lift continued
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Direct Ground Lift continued
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Extremity Lift
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Extremity Lift continued
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Stretcher-to-Bed Transfer (Direct Carry)
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Stretcher-to-Bed Transfer continued (Direct Carry)
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Stretcher-to-Bed Transfer continued (Direct Carry)
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Stretcher-to-Bed Transfer (Draw Sheet Method)
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Equipment
Stretchers and Cots
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Wheeled Stretcher
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Portable Stretcher
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Scoop Stretcher
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Flexible Stretcher
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Basket Stretcher
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Stair Chair
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Long Backboard
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Short Boards
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PatientPositioning
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Recovery Position
62
Patients with signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion
should be placed in the shock position.
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Shock Position
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Left Lateral Recumbent Position
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Pediatric Safety Seat
66
Pediatric Safety Seat continued
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• Body Mechanics
• Principles of Moving Patients
• Equipment

SUMMARY