1. Table of Contents HS-Emergency Medical Responder

2. Table of Contents 1. Proper Body Mechanics GoGo 2. Moving Patients Go Go 3. Positioning Patients Go Go 4. Equipment Go Go

3. Table of Contents  Body Mechanics ◦ Moving and positioning of the body ◦ Proper body mechanics:  Increases efficiency  Reduces risk of injury ◦ Incorrect body mechanics  Can cause pain, fatigue, and even disability

4. Table of Contents  Physical Fitness ◦ For proper body mechanics, must be physically fit ◦ Exercise regularly  Stretch  Weights  Cardiovascular ◦ Eat nutritiously

5. Table of Contents  Posture – Standing ◦ Proper body mechanics begins with good posture ◦ Guidelines

6. Table of Contents  Posture – Sitting ◦ Guidelines

7. Table of Contents  General Guidelines ◦ Know physical abililities ◦ Get help when needed ◦ Use equipment ◦ Position feet on firm, level surface ◦ Explain plan to patient

8. Table of Contents  Reaching Guidelines ◦ Keep back straight and lean from hips ◦ Don’t reach more than 15-20 inches in front of body ◦ Avoid strenuous effort over one minute

9. Table of Contents  Lifting Guidelines ◦ Bend at knees ◦ Use two hands ◦ Maintain firm grip ◦ Use legs, not back to lift ◦ First lift, then turn ◦ Do not twist

10. Table of Contents  Carrying Guidelines ◦ Use two hands ◦ Maintain firm grip ◦ Keep weight close to body ◦ Keep back straight

11. Table of Contents  Pushing & Pulling Guidelines ◦ Push rather than pull ◦ Use two hands ◦ Push from the area between your waist and shoulders ◦ Keep elbows bent ◦ Push from kneeling if weight below waist ◦ Avoid pushing or pulling from overhead position

12. Table of Contents  EMR Role in Moving Patients ◦ Move only when truly needed ◦ Recall primary focus ◦ Situations where necessary ◦ Assist higher level providers in lifting and moving patients

13. Table of Contents  Types of Moves ◦ Emergency move ◦ Urgent move ◦ Non-urgent move

14. Table of Contents  Emergency Moves ◦ Patient must be moved at once because of immediate danger  Scene  Patient in critical condition ◦ Patient blocking access to another patient in critical condition

15. Table of Contents  Types of Emergency Moves ◦ Provide as much protection to spine as possible ◦ 4 types of one- person emergency moves  Shoulder-forearm drag  Shirt drag  Blanket drag  Firefighter’s drag

16. Table of Contents  Urgent Move ◦ Patient must be moved quickly due to immediate threat to life ◦ Situations

17. Table of Contents  Non-urgent Moves ◦ Patient moved when ready for transport ◦ Allow for assessment and treatment completion ◦ Best way

18. Table of Contents  Types of Non-urgent Moves ◦ Patient moved onto patient carrier device  Direct ground lift  Extremity lift  Direct carry  Draw sheet method

19. Table of Contents  EMR Role in Positioning Patients ◦ Move only when needed ◦ If possible, wait for higher level providers ◦ May need to position patient in certain situations ◦ Assist as requested

20. Table of Contents  Patient Positions ◦ Depends on patient’s condition  Supine  Lateral  Fowler’s ◦ Follow local protocols ◦ Use proper body mechanics when positioning patients

21. Table of Contents  In the supine position, patient lies face-up with arms at sides  Suspected spine injury – placed on long backboard in supine position  Shock – placed in Trendelenburg position

22. Table of Contents  Lateral position ◦ On side ◦ Recovery position ◦ Fetal position

23. Table of Contents  Fowler’s Position ◦ Sitting ◦ Makes breathing easier ◦ When on stretcher, more comfortable

24. Table of Contents  EMR Role and Equipment ◦ Not responsible for patient transport ◦ May assist as requested by higher- level EMS ◦ Be familiar with equipment ◦ Follow local protocol

25. Table of Contents  What equipment to used depends on patient’s condition, weight, environment and help available  Should make move safest and easiest  Follow local protocols  Use proper body mechanics

26. Table of Contents  Types of Equipment ◦ Wheeled stretcher ◦ Portable stretcher ◦ Orthopedic stretcher ◦ Flexible stretcher ◦ Basket stretcher ◦ Stair chair

27. Table of Contents  Wheeled Stretcher ◦ Has undercarriage with wheeled legs ◦ Can be rolled ◦ Metal frame ◦ Restricted to smooth terrain ◦ Safest and easiest way to move patients

28. Table of Contents  Two rescuers can roll patients on wheeled stretchers  Method

29. Table of Contents  Carrying Patients on Wheeled Stretchers ◦ Two rescuers can carry patients on wheeled stretchers over curbs ◦ Four rescuers preferred to carry over rough terrain ◦ Two-person carry method

30. Table of Contents  Patient on wheeled stretcher loaded into ambulance  Method

31. Table of Contents  Portable Stretcher ◦ No undercarriage ◦ More compact and lightweight ◦ Must be lifted and carried ◦ May fold for compact carrying and storage

32. Table of Contents  Carrying Patients on Portable Stretchers ◦ Four rescuers preferred ◦ Method for four rescuers ◦ Method for two rescuers

33. Table of Contents  Loading Patients on Portable Stretchers ◦ Patients may be loaded into ambulance on portable stretcher ◦ Method

34. Table of Contents  Orthopedic Stretcher ◦ Splits into two or four sections ◦ Used with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions ◦ Compact ◦ Does not support spine injury

35. Table of Contents  Flexible Stretcher ◦ Made of flexible material ◦ Compact ◦ Lightweight ◦ Must be lifted and carried

36. Table of Contents  Basket Stretcher ◦ Made of rigid fiberglass or metal that surrounds patients on three sides ◦ Used to carry patients over rough terrain ◦ Must be lifted and carried ◦ Also known as Stokes stretcher

37. Table of Contents  Stair Chair ◦ Used to carry patients up and down stairs ◦ Should be used instead of stretchers on stairs ◦ Method ◦ Should not be used with unresponsive patients, suspected spine injury, lower extremity injury, altered mental status

38. Table of Contents  Backboards ◦ Flat boards used to immobilize patients ◦ Two types  Long  Short

39. Table of Contents  Long Backboard ◦ 6 to 7 feet long ◦ Immobilizes entire body from head to feet ◦ Patient lying down ◦ Also known as longboards

40. Table of Contents  Short Backboard ◦ 3 to 4 feet long ◦ Used to immobilize top part of patient’s body ◦ Patient in sitting position ◦ Also known as shortboard ◦ Kendrick Extrication Device (KED)

41. Table of Contents  Power-lift position ◦ Uses proper body mechanics  Power grip ◦ Gets maximum force from the hands  Power-lift & power grip provide safe and stable move

42. Table of Contents  Emergency  Non-Urgent