Moving an Ill or Injured Person Flashcards
In general, care for an ill or injured person at the location found rather than moving them to provide care. However, some situations require emergency moves. What are those situations?
Immediate danger: Danger to you or the person from fire, close proximity of explosives or other imminent hazards, lack of oxygen, risk of drowning, possible explosion, collapsing structure or other reasons such as uncontrolled traffic hazards, civil unrest or extreme weather conditions.
Gaining access to other persons: A person with minor injuries may need to be moved quickly to allow you to reach other persons who may have life-threatening conditions.
Providing proper care: A person with a medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest or heat stroke, may need to be moved to provide proper care. For example, someone in cardiac arrest needs CPR, which should be performed on a firm, flat surface with the person positioned on the back. If the person collapses on a bed or in a small bathroom, the surface or space may not be adequate to provide appropriate care.
When is the clothes drag appropriate and how would you perform it?
The clothes drag is an appropriate emergency move for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury. This move helps keep the head and neck stabilized.
To carry out a clothes drag, gather the person’s clothing behind the neck. Using the clothing, pull the person to safety.
During the move, cradle the person’s head by both the clothing and your hands.
Move carefully, since you will be moving backward. Keep your back as straight as possible and bend your legs.
This type of emergency move is exhausting and may result in back strain for the responder, even when done properly.
When is the blanket drag appropriate and how would you perform it?
The blanket drag is a good way to move a person in an emergency when stabilization equipment is unavailable or the situation dictates that there is not enough time or space to use stabilization equipment.
The blanket drag is appropriate for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
To perform:
Position a blanket (or tarp, drape, bedspread or sheet) next to the person. Keep the person between you and the blanket.
Gather half the blanket and place it against the person’s side.
Being careful to keep about 2 feet of blanket above the person’s head, roll the person toward your knees, reach across and position the blanket directly next to the person.
Gently roll the person as a unit onto the blanket, being careful not to twist the person’s spinal column.
After smoothing out the blanket, wrap it around the person, gather up the excess at the person’s head, and drag, being sure to keep the person’s head as low as possible. Move carefully because you are moving backward, and keep your back as straight as possible.
The shoulder drag is not safe for what type of victim? How would you perform the drag?
This move is not safe for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
The shoulder drag is a variation of the clothes drag.
Reach under the persons’ armpits (from the back), grasp the forearms and drag the person.
Keep your back as straight as possible and do not twist. This move is exhausting and should be done carefully, since you are moving backward. The move may result in back strain.
The ankle drag is not safe for what type of victim? How would you perform the drag?
This move is not safe for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
For the ankle drag (also known as the foot drag), firmly grasp the person’s ankles and move backward.
Be careful to pull on the long axis of the body and not bump the person’s head.
Keep your back as straight as possible and do not twist. Move carefully because you are moving backward, which may result in back strain.
The firefighter’s drag is not safe for what type of victim? How would you perform the drag?
This move is not safe for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
For the firefighter’s drag, position the person on the back.
Bind the person’s hands together gently at the wrists.
Straddle the person on your hands and knees and slip your head through the person’s arms.
Place the person’s bound wrists behind your head.
Keeping your back as straight as possible, and keeping the person centered under you, slowly crawl forward, carrying the person with you. Be careful not to bump the person’s head.
The firefighter’s carry is not safe for what type of victim? How would you perform the carry?
The firefighter’s carry is not appropriate for persons with suspected head, neck, spinal or abdominal injuries, since the person’s body is twisted, the head is not supported and the person’s abdomen bears the weight during the movement.
To perform the carry for a person who is lying face-up, grasp the person’s wrists.
While standing on the person’s toes, pull the person over a shoulder.
Finally, pass an arm between the legs and grasp the arm nearest you. Alternatively, you can kneel in front of a seated person, place one shoulder against the person’s abdomen and hoist the person across your shoulders.
Pull the person over a shoulder. The person’s feet should be on one side and the head on the other.
Pass your arm between the person’s legs and grasp the person’s arm that is closest to you.
Keep your back as straight as possible, lift with your legs and stand up.
The pack-strap carry can be used on what type of victim/person? How would you perform the carry?
The pack-strap carry can be used on both conscious and unconscious persons. This move is not safe for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
Using it on an unconscious person requires a second responder to help position the person on your back.
To perform the pack-strap carry, have the person stand, or have a second responder support the person.
Position yourself with your back to the person, back straight and knees bent so that your shoulders fit into the person’s armpits.
Cross the person’s arms in front of you and grasp the person’s wrists.
Lean forward slightly and pull the person up onto your back. Stand and walk to safety.
Depending on the size of the person, you may be able to hold both the person’s wrists with one hand. This leaves your other hand free to help maintain balance, open doors and remove obstructions.
What is a non-emergency move and when do you use it?
A non-emergency move requires no special equipment, and is generally performed with other responders. A non-emergency move is used to move a person from one location to another, such as from the incident scene to an ambulance or other transport vehicle or to a stretcher, from a bed to a stretcher or from the floor to a chair. It may also be used to move a person to a different position as part of the medical treatment.
The best way to move a person in a non-emergency situation is the easiest way that will not cause injury or pain. Do not use non-emergency moves if there is a possibility of a spinal injury.
Non-emergency moves are used most frequently with persons with altered mental status, persons with inadequate breathing, persons who are in shock or persons in other situations that are potentially dangerous. Examples include a person who is on a beach with the tide coming in or one who is lying on the ground in a busy traffic area.
How do you perform a walking assist?
A walking assist is frequently used to help persons who simply need assistance to walk to safety.
Either one or two responders can use this method with a conscious person.
To carry out a walking assist, place the person’s arm across your shoulders and hold it in place with one hand.
Support the person with your other hand around the person’s waist. In this way, your body acts as a crutch, supporting the person’s weight while you both walk.
A second responder, if present, can support the person in the same way from the other side.
How do you perform a Two-Person Seat Carry ?
The two-person seat carry is a method of moving a person that requires a second responder.
To perform the two-person seat carry, put one arm under the person’s thighs and the other across the person’s back.
Interlock your arms with those of a second responder, under the person’s legs and across the person’s back. The person places their arms over the responders’ shoulders.
The person is then lifted in the “seat” formed by the responders’ arms. Keep your back straight and lift with your legs.
Do not use this move for a person suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury.
How many rescuers are required to perform the Direct Ground Lift and how do you do it?
The direct ground lift requires at least three responders.
The three responders line up on one side of the person and kneel close to the person. The person should cross arms over the chest.
The responder kneeling at the person’s head places one arm under the person’s shoulders, cradling the head, and places the other arm under the person’s upper back.
The next responder places one arm under the person’s waist and the other under the buttocks.
The third responder cradles the person’s hips and legs.
On a signal from the responder at the person’s head, all three responders lift the person to their knees and support the person by rolling the person against their chests.
On the next signal, all will rise to their feet and move the person to a flat surface such as a bed or stretcher.
Reverse the steps to lower the person. Responders should keep their backs straight and lift with their legs.
How many rescuers are required to perform the extremity lift and how do you do it?
The extremity lift is a method of moving a person that requires a second responder.
In the extremity lift, one responder kneels behind the person, keeping the back straight, reaches under the person’s arms and grasps the person’s opposite wrist.
The second responder kneels between the person’s legs and firmly grasps around the person’s knees and thighs.
On a signal from the responder at the person’s head, both responders move from a crouching position to a standing position. The responders then move the person to a flat surface such as bed or stretcher.
