First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

If the patient is on the floor or ground, three techniques have proven to be useful. (1)Pull the patient’s clothing in the neck and shoulder area. (2) Put the patient on a blanketand drag the blanket. (3) Put your hands under the patient’s armpits (from the back),grasp the patient’s forearms (crossing the chest), and drag the patient. Never pull thepatient’s head away from the neck and shoulders.c. Non-Urgent MovesNon-urgent moves are performed only when other responders are present to help movethe patient. These moves are carried out when there is no suspected spine injury. A stepby-stepdescription of each non-urgent maneuver follows.Direct Ground Lift (only use if no suspected spine injury)1. Two or three rescuers line up on one side of the patient.2. Rescuers kneel on one knee (preferably the same knee for all rescuers).3. Place the patient’s arms on his/her chest, if possible.4. The rescuer at the head places one arm under the patient’s neck and shoulder andcradles the patient’s head. The rescuer places his/her other arm under the patient’slower back.5. The second rescuer places one arm under the patient’s knees and one arm above thebuttocks.6. If a third rescuer is available, he/she should place both arms under the waist, and theother two rescuers slide their arms either up to the mid-back or down to the buttocksas appropriate.7. On signal, the rescuers lift the patient to their knees and roll the patient in towardtheir chests.8. On signal, the rescuers stand and move the patient to the stretcher.9. To lower the patient, reverse the steps.10. Communication among rescuers is vitally important.11. Always remember to use your legs, not your back, to lift the patient.12. Always remember to keep the patient’s weight as close to your body as possible.Extremity Lift (no suspected extremity injuries)1. One rescuer kneels at the patient’s head and one kneels at the patient’s side by theknees.2. The rescuer at the head places one hand under each of the patient’s shoulders whilethe rescuer at the feet grasps the patient’s wrists.3. The rescuer at the head slips his/her hands under the patient’s arms and grasps thepatient’s wrists.4. The rescuer at the patient’s feet slips his/her hands under the patient’s knees.5. Both rescuers move up to the crouching position.6. The rescuers stand up simultaneously and move with the patient to the stretcher.7. Always remember to use your legs, not your back, to lift the patient.8. Always remember to keep the patient’s weight as close to your body as possible.d. Transfer of a Supine Patient from Bed to StretcherDirect Carry1. Position stretcher/cot perpendicular to the bed with the head end of the stretcher atthe foot of the bed.First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002 47