Moving a Victim

Reaching and Moving a Person Most situations do not require you to move a person who may be ill or injured. Some cases in which you might need to move a person include: Faced with immediate danger such as a fire, lack of oxygen, risk of explosion, or a collapsing structure You may have to get to another person who may have a more serious injury It may be necessary in order to give a person proper care

Things to Remember To protect yourself and the person, follow these guidelines when moving a person: Use your legs instead of your back Bend at the knees and hips, avoid twisting your body Maintain a firm grip on the person Walk forward when possible, taking small steps and looking where you are going Avoid twisting or bending anyone with a possible head, neck, or spinal injury Do not move a person who is too large to move comfortably Use good posture

Types of Emergency Moves Walking Assist Two-Person Seat Carry Pack-Strap Carry Clothes Drag Blanket Drag Ankle Drag

Walking Assist Most basic emergency move One or two responders can use this carry with a conscious person To perform: Place victim’s arm across your shoulders Hold in place with one hand Support victim with your other arm around their waist Do not use this assist if you suspect the victim to have a head, neck, or spinal injury

Two-Person Seat Carry Requires two responders Victim must be conscious and not seriously injured To perform: Put one arm behind victim’s thighs and the other across victim’s back; second responder does the same Both responders interlock arms behind victim’s legs and back Lift victim into seat formed Do not use this assist if you suspect the victim to have a head, neck, or spinal injury

Pack-Strap Carry Can be used with a conscious or unconscious victim To perform: Victim stands (or is supported) behind responder Responder should have back straight and knees bent so the shoulders fit into victim’s underarms Cross victim’s arms in front of you and grasp the wrists Lean forward slightly and pull victim up and onto your back Do not use this assist if you suspect the victim to have a head, neck, or spinal injury

Clothes Drag Can be used to move conscious or unconscious victim who is suspected of having a head, neck, or spinal injury To perform: Grab victim’s clothing behind the neck Pull victim head-first to safety Keep victim’s head cradled by both clothing and the responder’s arms Keep your back as straight as possible and bend your legs

Blanket Drag Can be used to move conscious or unconscious victim who is suspected of having a head, neck, or spinal injury To perform: Position a blanket next to victim Keep victim between you and the blanket Gather half of the blanket and place it against victim’s side Leave about two feet of blanket above victim’s head Roll victim toward you Reach over a place the blanket so it is under victim and gently roll victim onto the blanket Gather the blanket at the head and pull victim to safety

Ankle Drag Used to move a victim who is too large to carry or move in any other way To perform: Firmly grasp victim’s ankles and move backward Victim’s arms should be crossed over the chest Pull the person to safety in a straight line Do not use this assist if you suspect the victim of having a head, neck, or spinal injury