Method and features of manual lifts and carries in first aid
Carries for one first aider
Method features
Cradle method – It is used when the victim weighs less or is a child. Carry the victim comfortably from below the shoulder and knees with the hands.
Drag method- It involves pulling the victim along the ground without lifting him. It is used when the victim is unable to stand and must be moved quickly from a source of danger.
Fold the victim’s arms across the chest and crouch behind his shoulders, grasp the armpits, cradle the head on your forearms and drag him along the ground.
Human crutch – It is used to support a conscious victim who is able to walk with support.
Stand at the victim’s injured side is preferred. Place his nearest arm around your neck and hold it with your free hand. Put your other ar around his waist and grasp his clothes at the hp. Give him a walking stick for additional support.
Fireman’s lift – It is used to move a conscious or unconscious child or a lightweight adult when a hand has to be kept free.
Help the casualty to stand up. If the casualty is unconscious or unable to stand, turn the casualty face down and stand at the head. Place your arms under his armpits and raise him on to the knees and then the feet. Grasp his right wrist with your left hand. Bend down with your head under his extended right arm so that your shoulder is level with the lower part of his abdomen. Allow him to fall gently across your shoulders. Place your right arm between or around the his legs. Stand up, taking his weight on your right shoulder. Gently pull the victim across both shoulders. Hold his right wrist with your right hand leaving your left hand free.
Pick a back – it is used if the victim is small, light , conscious and able to hold onto you.
Carries for two first aiders
Method features
Four handed seat – This method is used to carry a conscious casualty who can use one or both upper limbs to hold.
Stand facing each other behind the victim. Make a seat by grasping your own left wrist with your right hand, and your partner’s right wrist with the free hand. Stoop down. Instruct the victim to sit back on your hands, to place his arms around your necks to steady him.
Two handed seat – This method is used to carry a victim who is unable to assist the bearers in his transportation, e.g. a hand fracture.
Squat facing each other on either side of the victim. Pass your hands nearest the victim under and around the back just below his shoulders, grasping each other’s wrists or the victim’s clothes. Raise the victim’s legs slightly, pass your other arms under the middle of his thigh and grasp each other’s wrists. Rise together, step off with the outside feet and walk as usual.
Fore and aft carry – it is used when there is no sufficient space for the use of a chair. It is used to move the victim on to a chair. Supporting the victim on both sides. Help him to sit up fold the arms across his chest. Go behind the victim and place the arms through and under his armpits and grasp his wrists. Get the other first aider to remain at the victim’s side and place one arm under the thighs. Lift him on to the chair together.
Chair method – it is used when a conscious victim with no serious injuries is to be moved up or down stairs or along a narrow passageway.
Place him on a sturdy chair and secure him in position with broad bandages. Stand facing each other, one in front of him and the other behind him. Hold the back and the front legs of the chair and carry him.
Blanket lift- It is used when victim is lying on a blanket or a bed sheet. Fold it on both sides and lift up the victim by holding the corners of the blanket place him on a stretcher.
Improvised method- opens the buttons of the victim’s shirt. Open the flaps of his shirt and catch their corners. Get other helpers to hold his head and legs. Then lift and carry him to a stretcher.
