Chapter 5: Lifting and Moving Patients
Cognitive Objectives
1-5.1 Define body mechanics.
1-5.2 Discuss the guidelines and safety precautions that
need to be followed when lifting a patient.
1-5.3 Describe the indications for an emergency move.
(1 of 2)
Cognitive Objectives
1-5.4 Describe the indications for assisting in nonemergency moves.
1-5.5 Discuss the various devices associated with
moving a patient in the out-of-hospital arena.
(2 of 2)
Affective Objectives
1-5.6 Explain the rationale for properly lifting
and moving patients.
1-5.7 Explain the rationale for an emergency
move.
Psychomotor Objectives
1-5.8 Demonstrate an emergency move.
1-5.9 Demonstrate a non-emergency move.
1-5.10 Demonstrate the use of equipment
utilized to move patients in the out-ofhospital arena.
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
1. Describe the general guidelines for moving
patients.
2. Understand the purpose and indications for
use of the recovery position.
3. Describe the components of good body
mechanics.
(1 of 6)
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
4. Describe the steps needed to perform the
following emergency patient drags:
• Clothes drag
• Blanket drag
• Arm-to-arm drag
• Fire fighter drag
• Cardiac arrest patient drag
• Emergency drag from a vehicle
(2 of 6)
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
5. Describe the steps needed to perform the following
carries for nonambulatory patients:
• Two-person extremity carry
• Two-person seat carry
• Cradle-in-arms carry
• Two-person chair carry
• Pack-strap carry
• Direct ground lift
• Transfer from a bed to a stretcher
(3 of 6)
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
6. Describe the steps needed to perform the following
walking assists for ambulatory patients:
• One-person assist
• Two-person assist
(4 of 6)
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
7. Identify and describe the purpose of the following
pieces of equipment:
• Wheeled ambulance stretcher
• Portable stretcher
• Stair chair
• Long backboard
• Short backboard
• Scoop stretcher
(5 of 6)
Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
8. Describe the steps in each of the following
procedures for patients with suspected spinal
injuries:
• Applying a cervical
collar
• Log rolling
• Moving patients
using long
backboards
• Straddle sliding
• Assisting with short
backboard devices
• Straddle lifting
• Strapping
• Immobilizing the patient’s
head
(6 of 6)
Skill Objectives
1. Place a patient in the recovery position.
2. Lift and move patients using good body
mechanics.
(1 of 6)
Skill Objectives
3. Perform the following emergency patient
drags:
• Clothes drag
• Blanket drag
• Arm-to-arm drag
• Fire fighter drag
• Cardiac arrest patient drag
• Emergency drag from a vehicle
(2 of 6)
Skill Objectives
4. Perform the following patient carries:
•
Two-person extremity carry
•
Two-person seat carry
•
Cradle-in-arms carry
•
Two-person chair carry
•
Pack-strap carry
•
Direct ground lift
•
Transfer from a bed to a stretcher
(3 of 6)
Skill Objectives
5. Perform the following walking assists for
ambulatory patients:
• One-person assist
• Two-person assist
(4 of 6)
Skill Objectives
6. Assist other EMS providers with the
following devices:
• Wheeled ambulance stretcher
• Portable stretcher
• Stair chair
• Long backboard
• Short backboard
• Scoop stretcher
(5 of 6)
Skill Objectives
7. Assist other EMS providers with the following
procedures for patients with suspected spinal
injuries:
• Applying a cervical
collar
• Log rolling a patient
onto a long backboard
• Moving a patient
using a backboard
• Straddle lift
• Applying short
backboard devices
• Strapping techniques
• Straddle slide
• Head immobilization
(6 of 6)
General Principles
• Do no further harm to the patient.
• Move patient only when necessary.
• Move patient as little as possible.
• Move patient’s body as a unit.
• Use proper lifting and moving techniques.
• Have one rescuer give commands.
Recommendations
• Delay movement.
• Treat patient before starting the move.
• Try not to step over patient.
• Explain to patient what is going to be done and how.
• Move patient as few times as possible.
Recovery Position
Unconscious patients who have not suffered trauma
should be placed in the recovery position.
Body Mechanics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ensure your own safety.
Exercise good body mechanics.
Use leg muscles when lifting.
Get close to patient and keep your back straight.
Lift without twisting.
Assess the weight of your patient.
(1 of 3)
Body Mechanics
(2 of 3)
Body Mechanics
• Know your limitations. Call for additional help
if needed.
• Communicate with all those lifting.
• Practice lifts and moves.
(3 of 3)
Emergency Movement
• Move patients immediately when:
– Danger of fire, explosion, or structural collapse
exists.
– Hazardous materials are present.
– Accident scene cannot be protected.
– Access to other seriously injured patients is
needed.
– CPR must be performed.
Emergency Drags
• Clothes drag
– Cardiac patients and clothes drag
• Blanket drag
• Arm-to-arm drag
• Fire fighter drag
• Emergency drag from a vehicle
Clothes Drag for Cardiac Patients
Carries for Nonambulatory Patients
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two-person extremity carry
Two-person seat carry
Cradle-in-arms carry
Two-person chair carry
Pack-strap carry
Direct ground lift
Draw-sheet method
Walking Assists for
Ambulatory Patients
• One-person walking assist
• Two-person walking assist
One-Person Walking Assist
Equipment
• EMS services commonly use various types
of patient-moving equipment.
• Be familiar with the equipment used by your
service.
Stretchers
Wheeled ambulance
stretcher
Portable
stretcher
Stair Chair
Backboards
Long backboard
Short backboard
device
Scoop Stretcher
Suspected Head or Spine Injury
• Move patient as a unit.
• Transport patient face up.
• Keep patient’s head and neck in a neutral position.
• Be sure all rescuers know what is being done.
• Be sure only one rescuer is giving commands.
Application of Cervical Collars
• Stabilize head and
neck.
• Insert back part of
collar.
• Apply front part of
collar.
• Secure collar
together.
Log Rolling
• Primary technique to move patient onto a
long backboard
• Move patient as a unit.
• Keep the patient’s head in a neutral position
at all times.
Alternatives to Log Roll
• Straddle lift
– Can be used to place a patient on a backboard if
there is not enough room to log roll
• Straddle slide
– The patient, rather than the backboard, is moved.
Straddle Slide
Strapping Techniques
• There are many ways to strap a patient.
• Always immobilize the body before the head.
• Learn the method used by your EMS system.
Head Immobilization
• Blanket roll
• Commercial devices
• Head stabilization must be maintained
throughout entire procedure.