How to lift a victim
If a proper method of lifting is used, even a very heavy victim can be lifted without undue strain for the first aider.
The principles of lifting a victim are as follows.
Use the most powerful muscles of your body for lifting, e.g. muscles of the thigh, hip and shoulder.
- Keep the weight of the victim as close to your body as possible.
- Keep your back straight and head erect. Do not bend your back.
- Bend your knees instead.
- Hold the victim close to your body using your shoulders to support the weight.
- Use your entire upper limb to strengthen your grasp on the victim’s body.
- If the victim begins to slip from your grip, let him slide slowly and gently to the ground without causing further damage to the injured area. Do not try to hold him up at any cost, because you may injure your own back in that process.
