Philippine Public Safety College

National Fire Training Institute

Bureau of Fire Protection
Emergency Medical Service

FO3 Fremmar John G Gole

Objectives:
1. Define the term body mechanics and discuss how following
proper patient lifting and moving techniques can help prevent
work-related injuries.
2. Name five examples of situations that might require you to
make an emergency move with a patient.
3. List three emergency moves and two non-emergency moves for
lifting and moving a patient.
4. Describe specific situations in which an emergency and non-
emergency move is necessary to move a patient and explain how
each one is performed.
5. Provide seven examples of patient moving equipment and
explain how each one is used to move a patient.
6. Demonstrate the techniques for immobilising and transporting a
patient, using a backboard.
Background
After arriving at the scene, a patient may
need to be handled or transported.
Swiftness at the scene may be a major
consideration in a dangerous situation. If
a patient is handled improperly, it may
cause further injury. Each EMS system
defines when and how a patient may be
moved, generally only if the patient is in
immediate danger.
What is Body Mechanics?
Proper use of your body to facilitate
lifting and moving, and to prevent
injury. Incorrectly lifting and
carrying equipment or patients could
cause injury, and potentially end an
EMS career or cause life-long pain.
Follow the following Basic
Rules in Lifting:
• Plan your move before lifting an object.
• Use your legs to lift, not your back.
• Keep the weight of the object as close to your
body as possible
• “Stack” – move your body as a vertical unit.
Visualise your shoulders as stacked onto your
hips, your hips to your feet.
• Reduce the height or distance you need to
move an object.
• Reposition and lift in stages.
Correct Alignment
The key to preventing injury after applying the
principles in lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying,
moving or reaching for an object.

Considerations:
Team Work
Communication
Use command
Pro active and Well balance Physical Fitness
Moving of Patient?
• How soon should you move the patient?
• Must you complete your assessment
before moving the patient?
• How much time should you spend on
spinal protection?
• Which should come first - head or leg?
Answer
It depends on the circumstances.
Generally, if there is no threat of injury,
provide emergency care and then move
the patient. If the scene is potentially
unsafe or poses an immediate threat, you
may have to move the patient.
2 Patient Moving Techniques

It depends on the circumstances.

Generally, if there is no threat of injury,
provide emergency care and then move
the patient. If the scene is potentially
unsafe or poses an immediate threat, you
may have to move the patient.
When to use Emergency Move?
Make an emergency move only when there is
immediate danger to the patient.

Example of situations:
1. Fire or Threats of Fire
2. Explosion or Threat of Explosion
3. Unstable Building
4. Rolled Over Car
5. Hostile Crowd
6. Hazardous Materials
7. Spilled Gasoline
8. Extreme Weather
Emergency Move
• To gain access to other patients who need care.
• When life-saving care cannot be given due to
patient’s location or position

A patient in cardiac arrest must be supine on a

hard flat surface to perform CPR properly. If
patient is sitting in chair or is lying in bed, you
must make an emergency move.
Emergency Move
The greatest danger in making an emergency move is
the possibility of aggravating a spinal injury. Provide
as much protection to the spine as possible – pull the
patient in the direction of the long axis of the body.
Try not to move the head away from the neck and
shoulders and secure the hands and arms. Moving
patients away from a vehicle quickly and safely may be
impossible. Move the patient only under conditions
mentioned above.
Types of Emergency Move

• Shirt drag
• Shoulder or forearm drag
• Blanket drag
• Piggyback carry
• One rescuer crutch
• Cradle carry
• Firefighters drag
What is Non-Emergency Moves?
 Where there is no immediate threat to life, the patient
should be moved only when ready for transport, using a non-
emergency move.
 Complete the on-scene assessment and treat the patient first.
Prevent additional injury and try to avoid causing discomfort
and pain to the patient.
 Non-emergency moves generally require minimal
equipment. However, if you suspect spinal injury, provide
proper spinal immobilization prior to moving the patient.
Often patient-carrying devices can be utilized.
Examples of Non-Emergency Moves
• Direct-ground / bed lift: This move is difficult if
the patient weighs more than 80 kilos, is on the
ground or other low surface or is uncooperative.
Requires at least three people.

• Extremity lift: Commonly used to move patients

from a chair or bed to a stretcher or the floor. Do
not use on patients with extremity injuries.
Positioning the Patient
 • Patient showing signs of shock may be placed in the shock position – elevate
legs or foot end of long spine board 20-30 cm.
 • Patient with respiratory problems may get into a more comfortable position,
unless injuries prevent it. These patients generally want to sit up.
 • Patients with abdominal pain generally want to be on one side with legs
drawn up.
 • A responsive patient, who is nauseated or vomiting, should be allowed to
remain in a position of comfort, unless injuries prevent it. Always be ready to
manage patient airway.
 • Trauma patients, especially suspected spinal injury patients, should be
appropriately immobilized on long spine board.
 • Place patient in recovery position if unconscious and not contraindicated.
Patient carrying Equipments:
Wheeled stretchers
Bariatric stretcher
Lightweight portable stretchers (folding or collapsible)
Flexible stretcher
Vest-type extrication devices
Basket stretcher
Scoop stretcher
Stair chair
Wheeled Stretcher
Types of Stretchers (3 of 19)
Bariatric stretcher
◦ Specialized for overweight or obese
patients
◦ Wider wheel base for increased stability

Source: Courtesy of Stryker Medical

Stair Chair
Types of Stretchers (10 of 19)
 Flexible stretcher
◦ Can be rolled into a
tubular package
◦ Excellent for storage
and carrying
◦ Conform around a
patient’s sides
◦ Useful for confined
spaces
◦ Uncomfortable, but
provides support and
immobilization
Types of Stretchers (14 of 19)
Basket stretcher
◦ Rigid stretcher also
called a Stokes
litter
◦ Used for remote
locations
inaccessible by a
vehicle, including
water rescues and
technical rope
rescues
Scoop Stretcher
Vest Type Extrication
Device
Lightweight Portable Stretcher
Short Backboard
Patient carrying Equipments:
 •Backboards: These devices are usually made of splinterresistantwood or
synthetic material that will not absorb blood.They usually have handholds or
carrying straps.
There are two types:
1. Long backboard: 6–7 feet long, used for patientsfound lying down or
standing and who must beimmobilized.
2. Short backboard: 3-4 feet long, together with longboard, used primary to
remove patients from vehicles towhen neck or spinal injuries are suspected.
Thebackboard is slid between the patient’s back and theseat. Once secured
to the short board and wearing arigid cervical collar, the patient can be
removed from hissitting position in the vehicle to a supine position on them
long board. Vest-type devices are often used as a shortbackboard.
Kind of carries

Diamond Carry – it requires four
providers; one at the head of the
backboard, one at the foot end, and one at
each side of the patient’s torso.

One-hand Carry – it requires four
providers; two in each side of the
patient’s.
Power Grip
A power grip gets the maximum force
from your hand
Arms and hands face palm up
Hands should be at 10” apart
Each hand goes under the handle with the
palm facing up and the thumb extended
upward
Never grasp a little or backboard with the
hands placed palms-down over the handle