Chapter 35
Lifting and Moving
Patients
National EMS Education
Standard Competencies
EMS Operations
Knowledge of operational roles and
responsibilities to ensure patient, public, and
personnel safety.
Introduction
• In the course of a call, EMTs move patients.
• To move patients without injury, you need to
learn proper techniques.
• Correct body mechanics, grips, and devices
are important.
Moving and Positioning the
Patient (1 of 3)
• When you move a patient, take care that
injury does not occur:
– To you
– To your team
– To the patient
• Many EMTs are injured lifting and moving
patients.
Moving and Positioning the
Patient (2 of 3)
• Training and practice are required.
• Special lifting and moving techniques are
necessary for:
– Patients with head injury, shock, spinal injury
– Pregnant patients
– Obese patients
Moving and Positioning the
Patient (3 of 3)
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Body Mechanics (1 of 12)
• In lifting:
– Shoulder girdle should be aligned over pelvis.
– Hands should be held close to legs.
– Force then goes essentially straight down spinal
column.
– Very little strain occurs.
Body Mechanics
(2 of 12)
Body Mechanics (3 of 12)
• This is the correct
way to lift.
Body Mechanics (4 of 12)
• You may injure your back:
– If you lift with your back curved
– If you lift with your back straight but bent
significantly forward at the hips
Body Mechanics (5 of 12)
• This is an incorrect method of lifting.
Body Mechanics (6 of 12)
• Power lift
– Legs should be spread about 15″ apart
(shoulder width).
– Place feet so center of gravity is balanced.
– With your back held upright, bring your upper
body down by bending the legs.
– Grasp the patient/stretcher.
Body Mechanics (7 of 12)
• Power lift (cont’d)
– Lift patient by raising your upper body and arms
and straightening your legs until standing.
– Keep the weight close to your body.
– See Skill Drill 35-1.
Body Mechanics (8 of 12)
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Body Mechanics (9 of 12)
• Power grip gets maximum force from
hands.
– Palms up
– Hands about 10″ apart
– All fingers at same angle
– Fully support handle on curved palm
Body Mechanics (10 of 12)
Body Mechanics (11 of 12)
• To lift a patient by a sheet or blanket:
– Center the patient.
– Tightly roll up excess fabric on the sides.
– Use the cylindrical handle to grasp fabric and lift
patient.
Body Mechanics (12 of 12)
Weight and Distribution (1 of 9)
• Whenever possible, use a device that can
be rolled.
• When a wheeled device is not available, a
backboard must be used.
Weight and Distribution (2 of 9)
• More of the patient’s weight rests on the
head half of the device than on the foot half.
• Diamond carry and the one-handed carry
use one EMT at head and foot, and one on
each side of patient’s torso.
– See Skill Drill 35-2 and Skill Drill 35-3.
Weight and Distribution (3 of 9)
Weight and Distribution (4 of 9)
• Always secure patient to backboard or
stretcher.
– So patient cannot slide significantly when
stretcher is at an angle
Weight and Distribution (5 of 9)
• Wheeled
ambulance
stretcher weighs
40–145 lb.
– Generally too
heavy for use on
stairs
Weight and Distribution (6 of 9)
• If you must use a backboard or wheeled
stretcher on stairs, see Skill Drill 35-4.
Weight and Distribution (7 of 9)
• A stair chair can be used to bring a
conscious patient down to stretcher
(see Skill Drill 35-5).
Weight and Distribution (8 of 9)
Weight and Distribution (9 of 9)
• Backboard
should be used
instead for
patient:
– In cardiac arrest
– Who must be
moved in supine
position
– Who must be
immobilized
Directions and Commands
(1 of 3)
• Team actions must be coordinated.
• Team leader
– Indicates where each team member should be
– Rapidly describes sequence of steps to perform
before lifting
Directions and Commands
(2 of 3)
• Preparatory commands are used.
• Example:
– Team leader says, “All ready to stop,” to get
team’s attention.
– Then team leader says, “Stop!” in louder voice.
• Countdowns are also used.
Directions and Commands
(3 of 3)
• Estimate patient’s weight before lifting
– Adults often weigh 120–220 lb.
– Two EMTs should be able to safely lift this
weight.
• If patient weighs over 250 lb, use four
rescuers.
– Place strongest EMT at head end.
Principles of Safe Reaching
and Pulling (1 of 4)
• Body drag
– When you use a body drag, same principles
apply as when lifting and carrying.
– Keep back locked and straight.
– Kneel.
– Extend arms no more than 15–20″ in front of
you.
Principles of Safe Reaching
and Pulling (2 of 4)
• Log rolling
• Log roll the patient onto his or her side to
place a patient on a backboard.
Principles of Safe Reaching
and Pulling (3 of 4)
• Log rolling (cont’d)
– Kneel as close to the patient’s side as possible.
– Keep your back straight.
– Roll the patient without stopping.
Principles of Safe Reaching
and Pulling (4 of 4)
• Rolling the stretcher
– Stretcher should be fully elevated.
– Push the stretcher from the head end.
– Never push with arms fully extended.
General Considerations
• Move a patient in orderly, planned,
unhurried manner.
• Carefully plan ahead.
• Select methods that will involve least
amount of lifting and carrying.
Emergency Moves (1 of 5)
• Use when there is potential for danger
before assessment and management.
– Examples: fire, explosives, hazardous materials
• Use when you cannot properly assess
patient or provide immediate care because
of patient’s location or position.
Emergency Moves (2 of 5)
• If you are alone, use a drag to pull patient
along long axis of body.
• Use techniques to help prevent aggravation
of patient spinal injury.
– Clothes drag
– Blanket drag
– Arm drag
– Arm-to-arm drag
Emergency Moves (3 of 5)
Emergency Moves (4 of 5)
• To remove unconscious patient from vehicle
alone:
– First move legs clear of pedals.
– Rotate patient so back is toward open car door.
– Place arms through armpits and support head
against your body.
– Drag patient from seat to a safe location.
Emergency Moves (5 of 5)
Urgent Moves (1 of 2)
• Necessary to move patient with:
– Altered level of consciousness
– Inadequate ventilation
– Shock
• Rapid extrication technique requires team of
knowledgeable EMTs.
– See Skill Drill 35-6.
Urgent Moves (2 of 2)
• Rapid extrication technique is an urgent
move and should only be used if urgency
exists.
• Patient can be moved within 1 minute.
• Technique increases damage if patient has
spinal injury.
• Look at all options before using technique.
Nonurgent Moves (1 of 5)
• Used when both scene and patient are
stable
• Carefully plan how to move the patient.
• Team leader should plan the move.
– Personnel
– Obstacles identified
– Equipment
– Path
Nonurgent Moves (2 of 5)
• Choose between:
– Direct ground lift (Skill Drill 35-7)
• For those with no suspected spinal injury who
are supine.
• Patient will need to be carried distance.
• EMTs stand side by side to lift/carry.
Nonurgent Moves (3 of 5)
• Choose between (cont’d):
– Extremity lift (Skill Drill 35-8)
• For those with no suspected spinal injury who
are supine or sitting
• Helpful when patient is in small space
• One EMT at patient’s head and the other at
patient’s feet
• Coordinate moves verbally.
Nonurgent Moves (4 of 5)
• To transfer a patient from bed to stretcher,
use:
– Direct carry (see Skill Drill 35-9)
• Move supine patient from the bed to stretcher
using a direct carry method.
– Draw sheet method
• Move patient from bed to stretcher using a
sheet or blanket.
– Scoop stretcher (see Skill Drill 35-10)
Nonurgent Moves (5 of 5)
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Geriatrics (1 of 2)
• Most patients transported by EMS are
geriatric patients.
• Skeletal changes cause brittle bones, and
spinal curvatures present special
challenges.
• Allay patient’s fears with sympathetic and
compassionate approach.
Source: © Dr. P. Marazzi/Photo Researchers, Inc.
Geriatrics (2 of 2)
Kyphosis
Spondylosis
Bariatrics (1 of 2)
• Refers to management of obese people
• 100 million adults in the US are overweight
or obese.
– Approximately 20% to 25% of children are
overweight or obese.
• Back injuries account for the largest number
of missed days of work.
Bariatrics (2 of 2)
• Stretchers and equipment are being
produced with higher capacities.
– Does not address danger to EMTs of carrying
ever-heavier weights
– Mechanical ambulance lifts are uncommon in
United States.
Patient-Moving Equipment
(1 of 3)
• Stretcher is available in many models with
various features.
• General features
– Head and foot end
– Strong metal frame (to push, pull, lift)
– Hinges at center allow for elevation of
head/back.
– Guardrail prevents patient from rolling out.
Patient-Moving Equipment
(2 of 3)
• General features (cont’d)
– Undercarriage frame allows adjustment to any
height.
– Stretcher has locking mechanism when controls
are not activated.
– Controls are located at the foot end and at one
or both sides of most stretchers.
Patient-Moving Equipment
(3 of 3)
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Types of Stretchers (1 of 19)
• Wheeled
ambulance
stretcher
– Also called
a stretcher
or gurney
– Most
commonly
used
device
Types of Stretchers (2 of 19)
• Wheeled ambulance stretcher (cont’d)
– Patient may be secured directly to stretcher
– Or, patient may be secured to backboard first if:
• Suspected spinal injury or multisystem
trauma
• Patient is in need of CPR
Types of Stretchers (3 of 19)
• Bariatric stretcher
– Specialized for overweight or obese patients
– Wider wheel base for increased stability
Source: Courtesy of Stryker Medical
Types of Stretchers (4 of 19)
• Bariatric stretcher (cont’d)
– Some have tow package with winch.
– Rated to hold 850–900 lb
• Regular stretcher rated for 650 lb max.
Types of Stretchers (5 of 19)
• Pneumatic and
electronic-powered
wheeled stretcher
– Battery operated
electronic controls to
raise/lower
undercarriage
• This increases the
weight of stretcher.
Source: Courtesy of Stryker Medical
• Hazardous for
uneven terrain or
stairs
Types of Stretchers (6 of 19)
• Loading a
wheeled
stretcher into
an ambulance
– Ensure the
frame is held
firmly
between two
hands so it
does not tip.
Types of Stretchers (7 of 19)
• Loading a wheeled stretcher into an
ambulance (cont’d)
– Newer models are self-loading, allowing you to
push the stretcher into ambulance.
– Other models need to be lowered and lifted to
the height of the floor of ambulance.
– Clamps in ambulance hold stretcher in place.
– See Skill Drill 35-11.
Types of Stretchers (8 of 19)
• Portable/folding
stretcher
– Strong, rectangular
tubular metal frame
with fabric
stretched across it
Types of Stretchers (9 of 19)
• Portable/folding stretcher (cont’d)
– Some models have two wheels.
– Some can be folded in half.
– Used in areas difficult to reach
– Weigh less then wheeled stretchers
Types of Stretchers (10 of 19)
• Flexible stretcher
– Can be rolled into a
tubular package
– Excellent for storage and
carrying
– Conform around a
patient’s sides
– Useful for confined
spaces
– Uncomfortable, but
provides support and
immobilization
Types of Stretchers (11 of 19)
• Backboard
– Long, flat, and made of rigid rectangular
material (mostly plastic)
– Used to carry and immobilize patients with
suspected spinal injury or other trauma
Types of Stretchers (12 of 19)
• Backboard (cont’d)
– Commonly used for patients found lying down
– 6′ to 7′ long
– Holes serve as handles and a place to secure
straps.
Types of Stretchers (13 of 19)
• Backboard (cont’d)
– Short backboards
or half-boards are
used to immobilize
seated patients
• Example: the
KED vest-type
device
Types of Stretchers (14 of 19)
• Basket stretcher
– Rigid stretcher also
called a Stokes
litter
– Used for remote
locations
inaccessible by a
vehicle, including
water rescues and
technical rope
rescues
Types of Stretchers (15 of 19)
• Basket stretcher (cont’d)
– If spinal injury, secure patient to backboard and
place inside basket stretcher to carry patient out
of location.
– When you return to ambulance, lift the
backboard out of basket stretcher and place on
wheeled stretcher.
Types of Stretchers (16 of 19)
• Scoop stretcher
– Also called orthopaedic stretcher
Types of Stretchers (17 of 19)
• Scoop stretcher (cont’d)
– Splits into two or four pieces
• Pieces fit around patient who is lying on flat
surface and reconnect
– Both sides of patient must be accessible.
– Patient must be stabilized and secured on
scoop stretcher.
Types of Stretchers (18 of 19)
• Stair chair
– Folding aluminum
frame chairs with
fabric stretched
across to form a
seat and back
– Most have rubber
wheels in the back
Types of Stretchers (19 of 19)
• Neonatal isolette
– Also called an incubator
– Neonates cannot be transported on a wheeled
stretcher.
– Isolette keeps neonate warm, protects from
noise, draft, infection, excess handling.
– Isolette may be secured to wheeled ambulance
stretcher or freestanding.
Decontamination
• Decontaminate equipment after use.
– For your safety
– For the safety of the crew
– For the safety of the patient
– To prevent the spread of disease
Medical Restraints (1 of 2)
• Evaluate for correctible causes of
combativeness.
– Head injury, hypoxia, hypoglycemia
• Follow local protocols.
• Restraint requires five personnel.
• Restrain patient supine.
– Positional asphyxia may develop in prone
position.
Medical Restraints (2 of 2)
• Apply restraint
to each
extremity.
• Assess
circulation
after restraints
are applied.
• Document all
information.
Personnel Considerations (1 of 2)
• Questions to ask before moving patient:
– Am I physically strong enough to lift/move this
patient?
– Is there adequate room to get the proper stance
to lift the patient?
– Do I need additional personnel for lifting
assistance?
Personnel Considerations (2 of 2)
• Remember, an injured rescuer cannot help
anyone.
Summary (1 of 13)
• The first key rule of lifting is to always keep
your back in an upright position and lift
without twisting.
• The power lift is the safest and most
powerful way to lift.
Summary (2 of 13)
• Pushing is better than pulling.
• If you do not have a proper hold, you will
not be able to bear your share of the weight,
or you may lose your grasp and possibly
cause a lower back injury to one or more
EMTs.
Summary (3 of 13)
• It is always best to move a patient on a
device that can be rolled.
• You must constantly coordinate your
movements with those of the other team
members and make sure that you
communicate with them.
Summary (4 of 13)
• Ideally, members of the lifting team should
also be of similar height and strength.
• If you must carry a loaded backboard or
stretcher up or down stairs or other inclines,
be sure that the patient is tightly secured to
the device to prevent sliding.
Summary (5 of 13)
• Carry the backboard or stretcher foot end
first, so that the patient’s head is elevated
higher than the feet.
• Directions and commands are an important
part of safe lifting and carrying.
Summary (6 of 13)
• You and your team must anticipate and
understand every move and execute it in a
coordinated manner.
• The team leader is responsible for
coordinating the moves.
• You should try to use four rescuers
whenever resources allow.
Summary (7 of 13)
• You should know how much you can
comfortably and safely lift and not attempt
to lift more than this amount.
• Rapidly summon additional help to lift and
carry a weight that is greater than you are
able to lift.
Summary (8 of 13)
• The same basic body mechanics apply for
safe reaching and pulling as for lifting and
carrying.
• Keep you back locked and straight, and
avoid twisting.
• Do not hyperextend your back when
reaching overhead.
Summary (9 of 13)
• For a nonurgent move, move the patient in
an orderly, planned, and unhurried manner,
selecting methods that involve the least
amount of lifting and carrying.
• At times, you may have to use an
emergency move to maneuver a patient
before providing assessment and care.
Summary (10 of 13)
• You should perform an urgent move if a
patient has an altered level of
consciousness, inadequate ventilation, or
shock, or in extreme weather conditions.
Summary (11 of 13)
• The wheeled ambulance stretcher is the
most commonly used device to move and
transport patients.
• Other devices include portable stretchers,
flexible stretchers, backboards, basket
stretchers, scoop stretchers, and stair
chairs.
Summary (12 of 13)
• Whenever you are moving a patient, you
must take special care so that neither you,
your team, nor the patient is injured.
Summary (13 of 13)
• You will learn the technical skills of patient
packaging and handling through practice
and training.
• Training and practice are required to use all
the equipment that is available to you.
Review
1. What is the first rule of lifting?
A. Twist slowly when you lift
B. Keep your back in a straight position
C. Bend at the waist to pick something up
D. Use your arms to do most of the lifting
Review
Answer: B
Rationale: The first rule of lifting is to always
keep your back in a straight, upright, position
and use the powerful muscles of your thighs.
Never twist while lifting.
Review
1. What is the first rule of lifting?
A. Twist slowly when you lift
Rationale: You should never twist your back.
B. Keep your back in a straight position
Rationale: Correct answer
C. Bend at the waist to pick something up
Rationale: You should never bend at the waist. Your
back should be properly maintained in an upright
position.
D. Use your arms to do most of the lifting
Rationale: Use your leg muscles since they are well
developed and very strong.
Review
2. When lifting a stretcher using the power lift,
you should:
A. bend at the hips, knees, back, and arms.
B. bend at the waist and keep your back straight.
C. place your hands palms up on the litter
handle.
D. place your hands palms down on the litter's
side bars.
Review
Answer: C
Rationale: When lifting any heavy object,
your hands should be facing palms up; this
provides better lifting power and is not as
stressful on the wrists.
Review (1 of 2)
2. When lifting a stretcher using the power lift,
you should:
A. bend at the hips, knees, back, and arms.
Rationale: When lifting, keep your back and
arms straight. Always bend at the knees.
B. bend at the waist and keep your back straight.
Rationale: When lifting, always keep your
back straight. Never bend at the waist.
Review (2 of 2)
2. When lifting a stretcher using the power lift,
you should:
C. place your hands palms up on the litter
handle.
Rationale: Correct answer
D. place your hands palms down on the litter's
side bars.
Rationale: Your hands have the greatest
strength when your palms are facing up.
Review
3. It is impractical to apply a vest-style
extrication device on a critically-injured
patient to remove him or her from a
wrecked vehicle because it:
A. takes too long to correctly apply.
B. does not fully immobilize the spine.
C. cannot be used on patients who are in their
car.
D. does not provide adequate c-spine
stabilization.
Review
Answer: A
Rationale: It takes several minutes to correctly
apply a vest-style extrication device. This is too
much time to waste when treating a criticallyinjured patient. A long spine board would be more
appropriate. Vest-style immobilization devices,
when applied correctly, provide adequate spinal
motion restriction and are ideal to use in stable
patients who need to be removed from their
vehicle.
Review (1 of 2)
3. It is impractical to apply a vest-style
extrication device on a critically-injured
patient to remove him or her from a
wrecked vehicle because it:
A. takes too long to correctly apply.
Rationale: Correct answer
B. does not fully immobilize the spine.
Rationale: When applied correctly, the vest
provides adequate restriction of the spine.
Review (2 of 2)
3. It is impractical to apply a vest-style
extrication device on a critically-injured
patient to remove him or her from a
wrecked vehicle because it:
C. cannot be used on patients who are in their car.
Rationale: When a patient is stable, the vest is
a beneficial device for vehicle extrications.
D. does not provide adequate c-spine stabilization.
Rationale: The vest provides adequate
restriction of the spine.
Review
4. Proper guidelines for correct reaching
include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. avoiding twisting your back.
B. avoiding hyperextension of your back.
C. keeping the back in a locked-in position.
D. reaching no more than 30” in front of your
body.
Review
Answer: D
Rationale: When reaching, you should keep
your back in a locked-in position, and avoid
twisting or hyperextending your back. Do not
reach more than 15" to 20" in front of your
body.
Review (1 of 2)
4. Proper guidelines for correct reaching
include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. avoiding twisting your back.
Rationale: Never twist your back while
reaching or lifting.
B. avoiding hyperextension of your back.
Rationale: Never bend or hyperextend your
back.
Review (2 of 2)
4. Proper guidelines for correct reaching
include all of the following, EXCEPT:
C. keeping the back in a locked-in position.
Rationale: Always keep your back straight in
a locked position.
D. reaching no more than 30" in front of your
body.
Rationale: Correct answer
Review
5. An injured hang glider is trapped at the top
of a large mountain and must be evacuated
to the ground. The terrain is very rough and
uneven. Which of the following devices
would be the safest and most appropriate
to use?
A. Stair chair
B. Stokes basket
C. Scoop stretcher
D. Long spine board
Review
Answer: B
Rationale: A basket stretcher, also called a
“stokes” basket, should be used to carry
patients over rough or uneven terrain that is
inaccessible by ambulance. Its closed-ended
sides protect the patient from falling out of the
device.
Review (1 of 2)
5. An injured hang glider is trapped at the top of
a large mountain and must be evacuated to
the ground. The terrain is very rough and
uneven. Which of the following devices would
be the safest and most appropriate to use?
A. Stair chair
Rationale: This is used to transfer a patient
up and down stairs.
B. Stokes basket
Rationale: Correct answer
Review (2 of 2)
5. An injured hang glider is trapped at the top of a large
mountain and must be evacuated to the ground. The
terrain is very rough and uneven. Which of the following
devices would be the safest and most appropriate to use?
C. Scoop stretcher
Rationale: This is designed to split into 2 or 4
pieces. It must have access to both sides of patient
and the patient should be lying on a relatively flat
surface.
D. Long spine board
Rationale: There is no protection for the patient from
falling off or out of the device.
Review
6. When two EMTs are lifting a patient on a
long backboard, they should:
A. lift the patient from the sides of the board.
B. make every attempt to lift with their backs.
C. position the strongest EMT at the foot of the
board.
D. position the strongest EMT at the head of the
board.
Review
Answer: D
Rationale: Since more than half of the
patient's weight is distributed to the head end
of a backboard or stretcher, you should
always ensure that the strongest EMT is at
that position. This will reduce the risk of injury
to less stronger personnel as well as the risk
of dropping the patient.
Review (1 of 2)
6. When two EMTs are lifting a patient on a
long backboard, they should:
A. lift the patient from the sides of the board.
Rationale: This may cause the backboard to
tip since the upper torso is heavier.
B. make every attempt to lift with their backs.
Rationale: Never lift with your back. Always
use your legs.
Review (2 of 2)
6. When two EMTs are lifting a patient on a
long backboard, they should:
C. position the strongest EMT at the foot of the
board.
Rationale: The strongest EMT should be at
the patient’s head, where the patient’s weight
is greater.
D. position the strongest EMT at the head of the
board.
Rationale: Correct answer
Review
7. Which of the following techniques is
considered to be an emergency move?
A. Extremity lift
B. Supine transfer
C. Firefighter's drag
D. Direct ground lift
Review
Answer: C
Rationale: The firefighter's drag is a oneperson technique that is used when a patient
must be removed from a life-threatening
situation immediately.
Review
7. Which of the following techniques is
considered to be an emergency move?
A. Extremity lift
Rationale: This is a nonurgent move, helpful in
narrow spaces.
B. Supine transfer
Rationale: This is not considered to be an
emergency move.
C. Firefighter's drag
Rationale: Correct answer
D. Direct ground lift
Rationale: This is a nonurgent move, used to carry a
patient long distances to the cot.
Review
8. To extract a patient from the basement of a
building, you must transport the patient up
a flight of stairs. In doing this, you must
ensure that:
A. the elevated head of the backboard goes first.
B. the backboard with the elevated foot end goes
first.
C. the backboard is slightly tilted to the left to
distribute weight.
D. the patient's feet are higher than his or her
head, whichever end is carried first.
Review
Answer: A
Rationale: When you carry a patient upstairs
or up an incline, you must ensure that the
elevated head of the backboard or stretcher
goes first. This will help to equally distribute
the weight.
Review (1 of 2)
8. To extract a patient from the basement of a
building, you must transport the patient up
a flight of stairs. In doing this, you must
ensure that:
A. the elevated head of the backboard goes first.
Rationale: Correct answer
B. the backboard with the elevated foot end goes
first.
Rationale: Always try to carry the head higher
to distribute the weight.
Review (2 of 2)
8. To extract a patient from the basement of a building, you
must transport the patient up a flight of stairs. In doing
this, you must ensure that:
C. the backboard is slightly tilted to the left to distribute
weight.
Rationale: Backboards are designed to carry a
patient flat and the weight is best distributed when
the head is slightly elevated.
D. the patient's feet are higher than his or her head,
whichever end is carried first.
Rationale: Carries are easier with the patient’s head
first and elevated for distribution of the patient’s
weight.
Review
9. If an injured patient needs to be moved but
is not in immediate danger from fire or
building collapse, you should first:
A. order the equipment you need for extrication.
B. check the patient’s airway, breathing, and
circulation.
C. remove the patient with the rapid extrication
technique.
D. determine the number of people you will need
to move the patient.
Review
Answer: B
Rationale: The only time your attention
should be directed away from the primary
assessment of the patient is when the
patient’s life or your life is in immediate
danger.
Review (1 of 2)
9. If an injured patient needs to be moved but
is not in immediate danger from fire or
building collapse, you should first:
A. order the equipment you need for extrication.
Rationale: This is not the first thing you
should do.
B. check the patient’s airway, breathing, and
circulation.
Rationale: Correct answer
Review (2 of 2)
9. If an injured patient needs to be moved but is not in
immediate danger from fire or building collapse, you
should first:
C. remove the patient with the rapid extrication
technique.
Rationale: The patient is not in immediate
danger, so this is not needed.
D. determine the number of people you will need to
move the patient.
Rationale: After the ABC’s have been checked,
then the EMT can determine the safest method
of extrication.
Review
10. The rapid extrication technique is a:
A. nonurgent move to remove a patient from a
vehicle.
B. technique used to transfer a patient from a
bed to a stretcher.
C. technique used to lift a patient with no
suspected spinal injury onto a stretcher.
D. technique used to quickly remove a patient
from a vehicle and onto a backboard.
Review
Answer: D
Rationale: By using the rapid extrication
technique, a seriously injured patient can be
moved from a sitting position in a vehicle to a
supine position on a backboard while
protecting the spine at the same time.
Review (1 of 2)
10. The rapid extrication technique is a:
A. nonurgent move to remove a patient from a
vehicle.
Rationale: This is considered to be an
urgent move.
B. technique used to transfer a patient from a
bed to a stretcher.
Rationale: This is used to move a patient
from a vehicle to a backboard.
Review (2 of 2)
10. The rapid extrication technique is a:
C. technique used to lift a patient with no
suspected spinal injury onto a stretcher.
Rationale: This is not a lifting technique.
The patient is placed on a backboard and
not a stretcher.
D. technique used to quickly remove a patient
from a vehicle and onto a backboard.
Rationale: Correct answer
Credits
• Background slide image: © Jones & Bartlett
Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.