1. Chapter 5: Lifting and Moving Patients

2. 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)

3. Cognitive Objectives
1-5.4 Describe the indications for assisting in non-emergency moves.
1-5.5 Discuss the various devices associated with moving a patient in the out-of-hospital arena.
(2 of 2)

4. Affective Objectives
1-5.6 Explain the rationale for properly lifting and moving patients.
1-5.7 Explain the rationale for an emergency move.

5. Psychomotor Objectives
Demonstrate an emergency move.
Demonstrate a non-emergency move.
Demonstrate the use of equipment utilized to move patients in the out-of-hospital arena.

6. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
Describe the general guidelines for moving patients.
Understand the purpose and indications for use of the recovery position.
Describe the components of good body mechanics.
(1 of 6)

7. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
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)

8. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
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)

9. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
Describe the steps needed to perform the following walking assists for ambulatory patients:
One-person assist
Two-person assist
(4 of 6)

10. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
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)

11. Knowledge and Attitude Objectives
Describe the steps in each of the following procedures for patients with suspected spinal injuries:
Applying a cervical collar
Moving patients using long backboards
Assisting with short backboard devices
Log rolling
Straddle lifting
Straddle sliding
Strapping
Immobilizing the patient’s head
(6 of 6)

12. Skill Objectives Place a patient in the recovery position.
Lift and move patients using good body mechanics.
(1 of 6)

13. Skill Objectives 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)

14. Skill Objectives 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)

15. Skill Objectives
Perform the following walking assists for ambulatory patients:
One-person assist
Two-person assist
(4 of 6)

16. Skill Objectives
Assist other EMS providers with the following devices:
Wheeled ambulance stretcher
Portable stretcher
Stair chair
Long backboard
Short backboard
Scoop stretcher
(5 of 6)

17. Skill Objectives
Assist other EMS providers with the following procedures for patients with suspected spinal injuries:
Applying a cervical collar
Moving a patient using a backboard
Applying short backboard devices
Log rolling a patient onto a long backboard
Straddle lift
Straddle slide
Strapping techniques
Head immobilization
(6 of 6)

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Recovery Position
Unconscious patients who have not suffered trauma should be placed in the recovery position.

21. 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)

22. Body Mechanics
(2 of 3)

23. Body Mechanics
Know your limitations. Call for additional help if needed.
Communicate with all those lifting.
Practice lifts and moves.
(3 of 3)

24. 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.

25. Emergency Drags Clothes drag Cardiac patients and clothes drag
Blanket drag
Arm-to-arm drag
Fire fighter drag
Emergency drag from a vehicle

26. Clothes Drag for Cardiac Patients

27. 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

28. Walking Assists for Ambulatory Patients
One-person walking assist
Two-person walking assist

29. One-Person Walking Assist

30. Equipment
EMS services commonly use various types of patient-moving equipment.
Be familiar with the equipment used by your service.

31. Wheeled ambulance stretcher
Stretchers
Wheeled ambulance stretcher
Portable stretcher

32. Stair Chair

33. Short backboard device
Backboards
Long backboard
Short backboard device

34. Scoop Stretcher

35. 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.

36. Application of Cervical Collars
Stabilize head and neck.
Insert back part of collar.
Apply front part of collar.
Secure collar together.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. Straddle Slide

40. 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.

41. Head Immobilization Blanket roll Commercial devices
Head stabilization must be maintained throughout entire procedure.