Chapter 3: Lifting and Moving Flashcards
body mechanics
the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and prevent injury
What factors do you consider before lifting and moving patients?
The object (weight); your limitations; terrain; communication: make a plan
Principle of proper body mechanics
position your feet properly; use your legs; never twist or turn; Do not compensate when lifting with one hand; Keep the weight as close as possible to your body
How to lift a stair chair?
Keep your back straight. Flex your knees and lean forward from the hips, not the waist. If you are walking backward downstairs, ask a helper to steady your back
Power lift
a lift from a squatting position with weight to be lifted close to the body, feet apart and flat on the ground, body weight on or just behind the balls of the feet, and the back locked in. The upper body is raised before the hips. Also called the squat-lift position.
Power grip
gripping with as much hand surface as possible in contact with the object being lifted, all fingers bent at the same angle, and hands at least ten inches apart.
Good mechanics when reaching
○ Keep your back in a locked-in position
○ Avoid twisting while reaching
○ Avoid reaching more than twenty inches in front of your body
○ Avoid prolonged reaching when a strenuous effort is required
Good mechanics when pushing or pulling
○ Keep your back in a locked-in position
○ Avoid twisting while reaching
○ Avoid reaching more than twenty inches in front of your body
○ Avoid prolonged reaching when the strenuous effort is required
Requires Emergency move
○ The scene is hazardous
§ Threat of fire, explosion, electrical hazards, toxic gases, or radiation
○ Care of life-threatening condition requires repositioning
§ Move a patient to perform CPR
○ You must reach other patients
Urgent Move
○ The required treatment can be performed only if the patient is moved
○ Factors at the scene cause patient decline
§ i.e. heat or cold
Moving a patient onto a long spine board, also called a backboard, is an urgent move used when there is an immediate threat to life and suspicion of spine injury
Non-Urgent Moves
use patient-carrying devices
Patient-Carrying Devices
Stretcher or other device designed to carry then patient safely to the ambulance or to the hospital
Wheeled Stretchers
□ Commonly referred to stretcher, cot or litter
□ Rough terrain and uneven surfaces may cause the stretcher to tip
□ Odd number of EMTs may cause the stretcher to become off balance (two EMTs)
® Rough terrain: use four stretchers
Power Stretcher
lift up to 700 lbs
Manual Stretcher
requires EMT to lift
Bariatric Stretchers
having to do with patients who are significantly overweight or obese
Stair Chairs
□ For stairs and tight corners
Can roll and flat ground
Spine Board
Two types: short and long
short spine boards: primarily for removing patients from vehicles
When should use a portable stretcher or folding stretchers?
may be used for multiple-casualty incidents
Scoop stretcher
split in half lengthwise so you can ‘scoop’ patients
Basket stretcher
move the patient from one level to another over rough terrain
Flexible stretcher
made of canvas with wooden slates sewn in
Vacuum mattress
air is withdrawn to become rigid
Extremity lift
a method of lifting and carrying a patient during which one rescuer slips hands under the patient’s armpits and grasps the wrists, while another rescuer grasps the patient’s knees
Direct ground lift
a method of lifting and carrying a patient from ground level to a stretcher in which two or more rescuers kneel, curl the patient to their chests, stand, then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher.
Draw-sheet method
a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher by grasping and pulling the loosened bottom sheet of the bed
Direct carry
a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher, during which two or more rescuers curl the patient to their chests then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher
Patient Positioning: unresponsive patient with no suspected spine injury
recovery position
The patient should be on his side to aid drainage from his mouth and, if he vomits, to help prevent his breathing the vomitus into his lungs. This can be accomplished on a wheeled stretcher.
Patient Positioning for Shock
○ Believed to be in shock are placed in a supine position
Patients who have experienced trauma (injury) are sometimes placed on a spine board and immobilized to prevent further injury. These patients should remain in a supine and level position on the backboard. Do not lower the head (which may cause difficulty breathing) or raise the legs (which may aggravate an injury and make transportation more difficult).
