Lifting and Moving

Role of the EMR Sometimes a victim must be rescued from a dangerous situation before care can be given. Always check a vehicle to stabilize it before providing care. Always attempt to access the victim in the vehicle by using the simplest approach by trying all doors and windows first. Always ensure your safety Wear protective equipment, such as a helmet, gloves, and protective eyewear, to keep you safe. Several methods of moving a victim can be done simply and with little danger to you or the victim. Sometimes you may have to use/assist EMS personnel in lifting and moving. READ FIRST: Moving a victim is going to be dependent upon the situation you are dealing with. The safety of the scene and the condition of the victim is going to determine how you handle a victim. The following points are going to outline your role in the removal of or movement of a victim.

Body Mechanics/Lifting Techniques Basic Guidelines for Moving Victims Only move a victim you can safely handle. Move as close to his/her body as possible Bend at knees and hips Lift with your legs, not your back Take short steps Move forward when possible Look where you are walking Protect victim’s head, neck, and back. Communicate with helpers PLAY VIDEO FIRST: (6 minutes) This video is going to demonstrate several types of emergency moves.

General Considerations for Moving a Victim The extent of damage at the scene The size of the victim(s) Your physical ability Whether other help is available The victim’s condition Threat to life When in doubt, keep stabilized at the accident site until EMS personnel arrive READ FIRST: EMRs must occasionally move victims before advanced personnel arrive. If you need to move some consider the following:

General Considerations for Moving a Victim Situations that might require you to move a victim before providing care Immediate danger to rescuer or victim Access to a more seriously injured victim You must move victim to provide proper care

Emergency Moves Fire fighters carry Clothes drag Blanket drag Conscious and unconscious patients – dangerous situation Clothes drag Good for head and neck injuries Blanket drag Good for head and neck – move quickly Shoulder drag Grasps the victims forearms and drag Pack-strap carry Conscious and unconscious patients Keep arms crossed in front of your body May require a second rescuer Emergency moves: 1. The scene is hazardous. 2. Care of life-threatening conditions requires repositioning Moving a victim to a hard, flat surface for CPR 3. You must reach the another patient Passenger on the opposite side of car with no access from the opposite side. To minimize the risk of trauma to the spine, move the patient in the direction of the long axis of the body when possible Clothes drag Blanket drag Shoulder drag QUESTION: If using the fire fighters carry what injuries or trauma might you be concerned about. Spine, fractures, abdominal Never pull the victim’s head away from the neck and shoulders

Non-urgent Moves Direct lift Extremity lift Direct carry May use more than 1 rescuer Support neck if possible Extremity lift Requires 2 rescuers Direct carry Stretcher and bed Draw sheet method A Non-urgent move is a move with no immediate threat to life. READ SECOND: Some text describe what is called an urgent move: These are required when the patient must be moved quickly for treatment of an immediate threat to life. The difference between an urgent move and emergency move is the precaution is taken to protect the spine. Movement Reasons for urgent move include: The patient requires treatment the can only be performed if the patient is moved. Factors at the scene cause a patient to decline. Direct carry: Requires to rescore and 2 stretchers. Place one at a right angle to the other. The unused stretcher should be placed with the head of the stretcher at the victims feet. When ready the victim is cradled and swung onto the other bed.

Victim Positioning An unresponsive victim without trauma should be moved into the recovery position. A victim with trauma should not be moved until additional EMS resources arrive. A victim with pain, discomfort, or difficulty breathing should be allowed to assume a position of comfort. EMRs should be ready to manage the victim’s airway. Place in the recovery position, (left side of body) Keep the airway open in a victim who is unresponsive without a spinal injury. Delays vomiting by placing esophagus above the stomach Delays poison’s effects by retaining the position in the stomach (pyloric sphincter is placed up). Poisons are handled much better in the stomach than in the SI. Relieves pressure on the vena cava in pregnant women

Familiarity with Equipment Stretchers and cots Portable stretchers Stair chairs Long and Short backboards

Key Points Need to determine the risk of injury to the patient and make a rationale decision on which move is the most appropriate When there is NO threat to the victim, DO NOT move Practice these every so often, so that you do not get rusty

Skill Practice: Emergency Moves Bring your skill sheets to the practice area Get in groups of 3 Practice a walking assist, pack strap carry, two-person seat carry, and clothes drag

Assignment Review Chapters 1-6 in the textbook Review workbook Units 1-6 Complete Assessment Exercise #1 dealing with Chapters 1-6