Lifting and Handling of Casualty

Reason for Transportation:

For safety purposes

Comfort and well being of the casualty
Move away from dangerous situations or places
Transportation of casualty to seek medical aid

Correct Lifting Techniques:

Think before lifting and stand close to casualty as possible

Bend your knees, back straight and not rigid
Use your legs to provide the power that you need for the lifting
Move smoothly, holding the casualty as close to you as possible

Principles of Lifting /Transportation:

Resources- Helpers Required

Space- where to perform the transporting
Distance- how far to be transported
Condition- injuries of the casualty
Harm- which technique to use to prevent it
Effective- easy and fast, choice of transport.
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One First Aider:

Human Clutch

For the conscious victim, this carry allows the victim to swing their leg using the
rescuer as a crutch.

Procedure:
Position the casualty in a sitting position.
Bend down at the casualty's side so that you are facing in the same direction
as the casualty.
CAUTION: If the casualty has an injured leg, position yourself so that the
injured leg is next to you.
Bring the casualty's near arm over your shoulder and grasp his wrist with
your hand that is away from the casualty.
Put your near arm around the casualty's waist.
Stand up, helping the casualty to rise to a standing position also.
Assist the casualty to walk or hop on one leg. Adjust your walking motion as
needed to help the casualty maintain his balance.

 Cradle

This only works with a child or a very light person.

Procedure:
Place your arms under the victim's knees and around their back.

Drag

Casualty is too heavy to carry

Procedure:
Position the casualty on his back.
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 Kneel at the casualty's head.

Slide your hands (palms up) under his shoulders and grasp the clothing
under his armpits.
Partially rise so that the casualty is pulled to a semi sitting position. Support
his head on one of your arms. If possible, bring your elbows together and
use both forearms to support the head.
Rise to a stooped position and drag the casualty backward.
Pick-a-back

Casualty is able to hang on and will not lose consciousness. Better for longer
distances to lift a victim safely.
Procedure:
Place both the victim's arms over your shoulders.
Cross the victim's arms, grasping the victim's opposite wrist.
Pull the arms close to your chest.
Instruct the casualty to hold his hands together.
Position your hands under the casualty's thighs, and instruct the casualty to
hop on.

Two First Aiders:

Two Handed Seat

This technique is for carrying a victim longer distances.

This technique can support an unconscious victim

Procedure:
Pick up the victim by having both rescuers squat down on either side of the
victim.
Reach under the victim's shoulders and under their knees
Grasp the other rescuer's wrists.
From the squat, with good lifting technique, stand.
Walk in the direction that the victim is facing.

Four Handed Seat

This technique is for carrying conscious and alert victims moderate distances. The
victim must be able to stand unsupported and hold themselves upright during
transport.

Procedure:
Position the hands as indicted in the graphic.
Lower the seat and allow the victim to sit
Lower the seat using your legs, not your back
When the victim is in place, stand using your legs, keeping your back
straight.
Instruct the victim to place hands over two first aiders shoulders.

Fore and Aft Carry

To carry a light and unconscious or conscious casualty. Good for long distance
transport.
Procedure:
Rescuer 1 squats at the victims head and grasps the victim from behind at
the midsection.
Rescuer 2 squats between the victims knees, grasping the outside of the
knees. Both rescuers rise to a standing position.