Prehospital Emergency Care Practice Test: Basics of Lifting and Moving Patients — Flashcards

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) lift and move patients as part of their job.

Here are some tips for lifting and moving patients safely:
Use a partner: Try to lift with someone who is similar in height and strength.
Keep weight close to body: This helps with balance and reduces strain on your back and arms.
Flex at the hips: Don't twist your back, and flex at the hips instead.
Position hands: Have the patient's hands on your arms or around their waist, but not around their neck.
Use your legs: Use the power lift, which is when you bend your legs to bring your upper body down.
Use a stair chair: When carrying a patient on stairs, use a stair chair whenever possible. 

Here are some emergency moves:
Armpit-forearm drag: Position behind the patient, reach through and under their armpits, grab their forearms, and then drag.
Shirt drag: Fasten the patient's hands or wrists together, and then drag their shirt by the shoulders.