Chapter 25
Rescuing and Moving
Victims
Water Rescue (1 of 3)
• Reach-throw-row-go
• Reach for the victim.
• Requires an object
that can be extended
to the victim.
• Throw anything that
floats.
• Tie a rope to the
object if possible.
Water Rescue (2 of 3)
• Reach-throw-row-go (cont’d)
• Row to the victim.
• If victim is out of throwing range
• Go by swimming (must be trained).
Water Rescue (3 of 3)
Near-Drowning
• Drowning: Suffocation by immersion
in water or other liquid.
• Near-drowning: A victim survives an
immersion incident.
Types of Drownings
• Dry drownings
• No water passes the vocal cords.
• Wet drownings
• Water, vomitus, or foreign bodies are
aspirated into the lungs
• Secondary drownings
• Resuscitated victim dies within 96 hours.
Care for Drowning
• Survey the scene before rescue.
• If the victim was diving, suspect a
possible spinal injury.
• Check breathing; treat accordingly.
• If no spinal injury is suspected,
place victim on his or her side.
Cold-Water Immersion (1 of 2)
• Cold water is water less than 70°F.
• Cold water causes heat loss 25 times
faster than cold air.
• Survivors should get as much of their
bodies out of water as possible.
• Two potential medical emergencies
• Drowning and hypothermia
Cold-Water Immersion (2 of 2)
• Cooling speed depends on:
• Body fat
• Body type
• Physical fitness
• Water temperature
• Clothing
• Alcohol
• Behavior
Heat Escape Lessening
Position (HELP)
• Draw knees up close to
chest
• Press arms to the sides
• Remain as quiet as
possible
• Two or more people
should huddle together
quietly.
• Requires personal
flotation devices
Ice Rescue (1 of 2)
Near the shore:
•Extend a pole or throw a line to victim with
floatable object attached to it.
•Pull victim toward shore or edge of ice.
Ice Rescue (2 of 2)
Away from the shore:
•Lie flat and push a
ladder, plank, or similar
object ahead of you.
•Tie a rope to a spare
tire and an anchor point
on shore.
Electrical Emergency Rescue
(1 of 2)
• Electricity enters the body at the point of
contact and travels along the nerves and
blood vessels.
• Most indoor electrocutions are caused by:
• Faulty electrical equipment
• Careless use of electrical appliances.
Electrical Emergency Rescue
(2 of 2)
• Before touching the victim:
• Turn off the electricity.
• If you feel a tingling, do not approach.
• Raise one foot and hop to safety.
• If a power line falls over a car, the driver
and passenger should stay in the car.
• Unless a fire or explosion threatens
Hazardous Materials Incidents (1 of 2)
• Signs of hazardous materials:
• Warning signs on vehicle
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Hazardous Materials Incidents (2 of 2)
• Signs of hazardous materials (cont’d):
• Leaks or spills
• Strong, noxious odors
• Cloud or strange-looking smoke
Motor Vehicle Crashes (1 of 2)
• In most states, you are legally obligated
to stop and help when you are involved
in a crash.
• Park at least five car lengths away.
• If police have not arrived call 9-1-1.
• Turn on emergency hazard flashers.
• Make sure scene is safe.
Motor Vehicle Crashes (2 of 2)
• If you suspect spinal injuries, stabilize
head and neck.
• Check and monitor breathing.
• If possible, wait for EMS personnel to
remove victims.
• Allow EMS to transport victims.
Fires (1 of 2)
• Get all people out of the area
quickly.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Use a fire extinguisher if fire is small
and escape route is clear.
• Aim directly at whatever is burning
• Sweep across at base of flames
Fires (2 of 2)
• If clothing catches fire:
• Tear article off away from face
• Keep victim from running.
• Wrap a rug or blanket around victim’s
neck or throw a blanket on the victim.
• Smother the flames by rolling the victim
on the floor.
Threatening Dogs
•
•
•
•
Look for signs of a dog before entering.
Proceed with caution.
Ask owner to control a threatening dog.
Consider using a fire extinguisher, water
hose, or pepper spray.
• Call police for assistance with a vicious
dog.
Farm Animals
•
•
•
•
Farm animals can be dangerous.
Approach situation with caution.
Do not frighten an animal.
Use food to lure the animal away.
Confined Spaces (1 of 2)
• Any area not intended for human
occupancy that may have or develop
a dangerous atmosphere
• Three types of confined spaces:
• Below ground
• Ground level
• Above ground
Confined Spaces (2 of 2)
• If someone enters and signals for help or
becomes unresponsive:
• Call 9-1-1.
• Do not rush in to help.
• Try to rescue after help arrives.
• Only trained and properly equipped
rescuers should enter the space.
• Provide care once the victim is removed.
Triage: What to Do with
Multiple Victims
• Triage is the process of prioritizing or
classifying injured victims.
• Greatest good for the greatest
number
Finding Life-Threatened Victims
• Tell all victims who can walk to move to
a specific area.
• Walking wounded: delayed care
• Do not force victim to move
• Perform primary check on remaining
victims
Classifying Victims
• Immediate care
• Delayed care
• Up to 1 hour
• Walking wounded
• Up to 3 hours
• Dead
Moving Victims
• All necessary first aid should be
provided before moving victim
• Only move if there is immediate danger.
•
•
•
•
Fire
Explosives or hazardous materials
Impossible to protect from hazards
Impossible to access other victims
Emergency Moves (1 of 7)
• Every effort should be made to pull
victim in the direction of the long axis of
the body to protect spinal cord.
• Use various techniques.
Emergency Moves (2 of 7)
• Shoulder drag
• Ankle drag
• Blanket pull
Emergency Moves (3 of 7)
• Human crutch
• Cradle carry
Emergency Moves (4 of 7)
• Fire fighter’s carry
• Pack-strap carry
• Piggyback carry
Emergency Moves (5 of 7)
• Two-person assist
• Two-handed seat
carry
Emergency Moves (6 of 7)
• Four-handed seat
carry
• Extremity carry
• Chair carry
Emergency Moves (7 of 7)
• Hammock carry
Nonemergency Moves (1 of 3)
• All injured parts should be
stabilized before and during
moving.
• The safest way to carry an
injured victim is on some type of
stretcher or litter.
Nonemergency Moves (2 of 3)
• Blanket-and-pole
improvised
stretcher
• Blanket with no
poles
Nonemergency Moves (3 of 3)
• Board-improvised
stretcher
• Commercial
stretchers and
litters