Skip to content- #1 cause of injury/disability in EMS is lifting and moving
- shoulders in line with hips
- lift with legs, not with back-keep back straight
- should use strap(s) to secure patient whenever moving them
- stretchers should not be used down stairs – stair chair used instead
- Dragging on ground:
- should move patient in a line (in direction of head or feet), not horizontally
- clothes
- blanket
- arm
- Know your equipment!
- know weight limits of stretchers
- backboard used for patients who must be transported in a supine or immobilized position
- direct ground lift-used for patients with no suspected spinal injury.
- flexible stretchers (Ked/Reeves)-good for moving through/out of confined spaces
- basket stretchers (Stokes litter)- used to carry patients across uneven terrain from location inaccessible by ambulance
- scoop stretcher (orthopedic stretcher)-designed to be split into pieces. Length is adjustable.
- diamond carry is better than four corner carry-if one person unexpectedly drops or lets go, diamond carry keeps patient more stable
- ***Never step over or hand objects over patient!***
