1. Lifting and Moving Patients
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2. Principles of Moving Patients

3. What is the role of the First Responder?
Whenever possible, you should not move patient.
Keeping your patient at rest is the best course of action.

4. When do you move a patient?
Only if there is an immediate danger to patient or others if not moved
In order to prevent further injury
To assist other EMS responders to lift and move patient

5. Body Mechanics and Lifting Techniques

6. Body Mechanics
Proper use of your body to facilitate lifting and moving
Lift with partner whose strength and height are similar to yours.
Communicate with partner and patient throughout move.

7. Follow these rules to prevent injury:
Position your feet properly.
Use your legs not back to lift. Keep back straight and bend knees.
Never twist or attempt to make any moves other than lift.
When lifting with one hand, do not compensate.
When carrying patient on stairs, use a stair chair.

8. Moving and Positioning Patients

9. Emergency moves There are times when an emergency move is necessary.
There is immediate danger to patient if not moved.
Lifesaving care cannot be given because of patient's location or position.
You are unable to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving care.
Emergency moves provide little protection to patient.
Greatest danger is possibility of making a spinal injury worse.
Extreme care must be taken to move the body in one

10. Types of emergency moves
One-rescuer drags
One-rescuer moves
Two-rescuer moves
1) Clothes drag
1) One-rescuer assist
1) Two-rescuer assist
2) Incline drag
2) Cradle carry
2) Firefighter's carry with assist
3) Shoulder drag
3) Pack strap carry
4) Foot drag
4) Firefighter's carry
5) Firefighter's drag
5) Piggy back carry
6) Blanket drag

11. Non-emergency moves

12. Used when there is no immediate threat to life:
Patient should be conscious.
Initial assessment should be completed.
Pulse and breathing rates and character should be stable and within normal ranges.
There should be no uncontrolled external bleeding or any indications of internal bleeding.
There must be absolutely no signs of neck or spinal injury.
All possible fractures and extremity injuries must be immobilized or splinted.

13. A non-emergency move could be justified when:
Factors at scene cause patient decline
You must reach other patients
Care requires moving patient
Patient insists on being moved

14. Types of non-emergency moves
Direct ground lift
Extremity lift

15. Patient Lifting and Moving video

16. Equipment Familiarity

17. Types of packaging and loading devices
Wheeled ambulance stretcher
Portable stretcher
Stair chair
Scoop (orthopedic) stretcher
Spine boards
Long
Short
Vest-type extrication device
Basket stretcher
Flexible stretcher

18. Cervical Spine Immobilization Collar
Use correct type
Use correct size
Applying to a seated patient
Applying to a supine patient