Chapter 5

Lifting
and
Moving
Patients

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Outline
Reasons for
Lifting People
Body Mechanics
Principles for
Moving Patients
Emergency Moves
and Carries

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Non-emergency
Moves and
Carries

Patient
Positioning

Reasons
for Lifting
and
Moving
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Lifting and Moving

Patients
There are three situations for FR
When the patient is in immediate
danger
To prevent further injury to the patient
Assisting other healthcare providers in
preparing the patient for transport

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Body
Mechanic
s
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Body Mechanics
The use of proper body mechanics
and lifting techniques reduces the
likelihood of being injured
Incorporates knowledge of the way
muscles work into principles for safely
performing physical activities such as
lifting, sitting, and pushing heavy
objects
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Safety Precautions
Use leg muscles, not
back muscles
Using the back can
damage muscles and
discs between vertebrae

Bend at the knees and

hips
Dont round the hips

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Safety Precautions
Keep weight as close to the body as
possible to maintain balance
Do not twist the body
Keep feet shoulder-width apart for
stability

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Lifting
Call for additional help if necessary
Use an even number of people to
maintain balance

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Lifting
Keep weight as close to the body as
possible
Know the weight limitations of
equipment
If the lifting situation is unsafe, dont
move
the patient

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Improper
Lifting:
Back
bent
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Improper
Lifting:
Twisting

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Proper
Lifting:
Squat or
power lift
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Lifting a stretcher

Squat, bending at the

knees

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Lifting a Stretcher

Use a power
grip

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Lifting a Stretcher

Stand up while locking your

back
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Guidelines for Lifting

Consider the weight of the object
being lifted
Know your limitations

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Get help!
Work as a team
Communicate
with others!
(including the
patient)

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Equipment
The use of special devices for lifting
and moving makes the task easier,
safer, and more comfortable for the
patient.

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Be
careful
on stairs

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Principles
for Moving
Patients
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Principles
Assess scene safety
Remain alert to any developing
dangers
Decide if patient needs to be
removed from a dangerous situation
prior to starting treatment

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Emergency Moves

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Emergency Moves
Performed when there is an immediate
threat to the patients life. Emergency
moves are called for much less often
than non-emergency moves.

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Emergency Moves
When there is an immediate threat to
the patients life
Life-saving care cannot be given
because of the patients position
Access cannot be gained to another
patient who needs life-saving care

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Threat to Patient
Fire or danger of fire
Danger of explosion
or presence of
explosives
Patient cannot be
protected from other
hazards at scene
(i.e., extreme cold,
traffic)
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Patient Position
A patient in cardiac arrest who is
seated in a chair must be placed on
the floor
Unconscious patient may need to be
put into recovery position to prevent
airway obstruction

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In the Way
There is a critically injured patient
who cannot be reached because a
different patient is in the way

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Otherwise?
If none of these conditions is present,
the transporting crew will move the
patient when they are ready to leave
the scene. In this case, it is your job to
assist as necessary.

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Emergency Moves
Greatest danger is possibility of
aggravating spinal injury
Special precautions must be taken to protect
spine

Pull patient in direction of long axis of

body
This minimizes side-to-side movement of
spine
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Emergency Moves
For patient on floor or ground
Clothes drag/Incline drag
Upper extremity drag (can be modified)
Blanket drag
Firefighters drag

No matter what the circumstances, never

pull a patients head away from the body!

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Clothes Drag
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Incline drag

Upper
Extremity Drag
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Modified Upper
Extremity Drag

Blanket Drag

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Firefighters
Drag

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Emergency Carries

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Firefighter Carry with Assist

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Firefighter Carry with Assist

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One-Person
Assist
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One-Person
Cradle Carry

Pack Strap Carry

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Piggyback carry

Firefighters Carry

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Non-emergency
Moves

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Non-emergency Moves
Made with help of other responders
Not to be used for patient with
suspected spinal injury

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Non-emergency Moves
Direct ground lift
Extremity lift
Transferring patient from bed to
stretcher
Direct carry
Draw sheet method

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Direct Ground
Lift

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Direct Ground
Lift

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Direct Ground
Lift

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Direct Ground
Lift

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Extremity
Lift
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Extremity
Lift
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Draw Sheet
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Draw Sheet
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Draw Sheet
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Draw Sheet
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Draw Sheet
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Patient
Positionin
g
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At times a patient does not need

to be relocated (moved), but must
be repositioned for optimal patient
care.

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Unresponsive Patient
No trauma
Patient placed in recovery position

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Trauma Patient
Do not
move until a
more
advanced
healthcare
provider can
evaluate
and stabilize
patient.

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Position of Comfort
For patients
experiencing
pain or difficulty
breathing.

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Position of Comfort
Patients who are nauseated or
vomiting should be allowed to
assume a position of comfort as long
as it does not compromise the airway
Be prepared to manage the airway

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Summary
Lifting and moving patients is one of the
First Responders responsibilities
The First Responder must determine
whether an emergency move is
indicated or whether the patient can
wait until additional resources arrive to
make the move safer and more
comfortable.
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Summary
At times you will need to reposition
the patient to protect the airway or to
allow for patient comfort.
In performing these actions, the First
Responder must always use proper
body mechanics and follow safety
guidelines to prevent injury to First
Responder and patient.
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BE
SAFE!
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