CHAPTER 5

Lifting and Moving

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Moving Patients

Lifting Techniques

Back injuries are a leading cause of long-term disability for EMTs.

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Lift safely.

Lifting Considerations

Consider the weight of object/

patient.

Communicate with partner.

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Identify the need for help before

lifting.

Have a plan.

Use your legs to lift.

Have feet positioned properly.

Keep weight close to body.

Guidelines for Lifting

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep weight close to body.

Lift without twisting.

Use legs, not back, to lift.Use legs, not back, to lift.

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep weight close to your body.Keep weight close to your body.

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

PowerPower--LiftLiftPositionPosition

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PowerPower--GripGrip

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Keep your back locked in.

Avoid twisting while reaching.

Avoid reaching more than 15-20

Safe Reaching Techniques

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inches in front of your body.

Safe Pushing and Pulling

Push, rather than pull.

Keep your back locked in

(whenever possible).

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Keep weight close to your

body.

Safe Pushing and Pulling

Keep your knees bent.

Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.

Keep elbows bent and arms close

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Keep elbows bent and arms close

to sides.

If weight is below waist level, push

or pull from a kneeling position.

Types ofTypes ofMovesMoves

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MovesMoves

Emergency Moves

Scene is hazardous.

Life-threatening condition requires

move.

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move.

Patient must be moved to reach a

critical patient.

Emergency Move:Emergency Move: Clothes DragClothes Drag

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Emergency Move: Emergency Move: Incline Drag (HeadIncline Drag (Head--First)First)

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Emergency Emergency Move: Move: Firefighter’sFirefighter’sDragDrag

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Emergency Emergency Move:Move:Firefighter’s Firefighter’s CarryCarry

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Emergency Emergency Move: Move: OneOne--Rescuer Rescuer AssistAssist

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Emergency Emergency Move:Move:TwoTwo--Rescuer Rescuer AssistAssist

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Urgent Moves

Scene factors cause a decline in

patient condition.

Treatment of patient’s condition

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requires a move.

Urgent Move with Spinal PrecautionsUrgent Move with Spinal Precautions

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Non-Urgent Moves

Use when there is no threat to life.

Use when patient’s condition

allows for assessment and care.

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Typically utilize a carrying device.

NonNon--Urgent Urgent Move:Move:Extremity CarryExtremity Carry

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PatientPatient--Carrying Carrying DevicesDevices

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Wheeled Ambulance StretcherWheeled Ambulance Stretcher

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Portable StretcherPortable Stretcher

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Stair ChairStair Chair

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Long Spine BoardLong Spine Board

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Patient Immobilized on Long Spine BoardPatient Immobilized on Long Spine Board

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Short Spine BoardShort Spine Board

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VestVest--Type Extrication DeviceType Extrication Device

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Patient Immobilized in Vest-TypeExtrication Device

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Scoop (Orthopedic) StretcherScoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher

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Basket (Stokes) StretcherBasket (Stokes) Stretcher

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Flexible (Reeves) StretcherFlexible (Reeves) Stretcher

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Moving Patients toMoving Patients toCarrying DevicesCarrying Devices

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Carrying Device Choice

What is the patient’s position?

Is there a suspected spinal cord

injury?

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Patient Positioning

Part of patient care plan

Must not cause harm to patient

Must be safe

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Must be safe

Recovery PositionRecovery PositionUnconscious Patient without Spinal Injury

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Position of ComfortPosition of Comfort

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Shock PositionShock PositionPatient without Spinal Injury

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Transferring the Transferring the Patient to a Patient to a

Hospital StretcherHospital Stretcher

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Hospital StretcherHospital Stretcher

Position stretcher.Position stretcher.

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Pull sheet under patient taut.Pull sheet under patient taut.

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Slide patient to hospital stretcher.Slide patient to hospital stretcher.

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

1. Describe the principles of safe

lifting.

2. Differentiate between emergency,

Review Questions

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

2. Differentiate between emergency,

urgent, and non-urgent moves.

Give example of each.

3. List several patient-carrying

devices. Describe a use for each.

4. Describe several patient positions.

Review Questions

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. Describe several patient positions.

What device should be used to

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

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remove the patient from the vehicle?

What patient-care issues are important when using an extrication device?

What is the next thing to consider when actually moving the patient

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

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when actually moving the patient from the vehicle?

What emergency-care equipment was used for this patient? Why?

What is the next step before moving this patient again?

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

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this patient again?

What other safety considerations should be considered when moving the long board to the wheeled stretcher?