Study Guide

a. Describe the six basic body positions:
Anatomic – facing you, arms down, palms out
Prone – face down
Supine – face up, flat on back
Fowler’s – sitting up (45 degrees), position of comfort
Trendelenburg – (whole body) feet elevated 8”-12” (generally used with a backboard)
Shock (or modified Trendelenburg) – (waist down) feet elevated 8”-12” Recovery – left lateral recumbent

1. Define body mechanics:
Body Mechanics – the principles of effective, safe movement used in lifting and moving patients. The use of proper mechanics reduces the EMS provider’s chances of becoming injured.

2. Discuss the guidelines and safety precautions that need to be followed when lifting a patient:
Use a minimum of 2 people
Call for additional help if necessary
Use an even number of people to maintain balance Know the weight limitations of your equipment Know your own limitations
If the lifting is unsafe, don’t move the patient Keep weight as close to your body as possible

3. Describe the safe lifting of cots and stretchers:
General Guidelines – know the weight to be lifted and the team’s limitations, constantly communicate to coordinate actions, don’t twist
your body, keep weight as close to your body as possible, flex at your hips and bend knees, and keep back straight.
Cots/Backboards – tighten your back in normal, upright position, spread your legs about 15 inches apart, bend at the knees to lower your torso, use power grip to grasp cot/backboard, adjust position until weight is balanced, make sure feet are about 15 inches apart with one slightly forward than the other, keep feet flat and your weight on the balls of your feet, lift by straightening your legs until you are fully standing, keep back locked in, make sure your upper body rises before your hips.
Stretchers – please read Chapter 6, Pages 172-175 for complete information

4. Discuss the guidelines and safety precautions for carrying patients and equipment:
First rule of lifting is to keep your back in an upright position Never twist or jerk
The power lift is the safest and most powerful way to lift Maintain a proper hold with the power grip
It is always best to move a patient on a device that can be rolled Coordinate your movements with your team with constant communication
Use correct lifting techniques
Make sure patient is tightly secured (strapped in)
Always carry patient feet end first
Team leader is responsible for coordinating moves
Use at least two people, but try to use at least four when resources allow
Call for additional help as needed! Immediately! Train and practice often

5. Discuss one-handed carrying techniques:

6. Describe correct and safe carrying procedures on stairs:
Use a stair chair if possible. If you must use a backboard or stretcher, be sure the patient is anatomically secured to the device to prevent sliding when the device is held at an angle.
Properly secure the patient
When carrying downstairs, go feet first. When carrying upstairs, go head first. Use stair chair or sturdy kitchen chair Keep back in locked position
Flex at hips, not waist
Keep weight as close to body as possible

7. State the guidelines for reaching and their application:
Keep back straight when leaning over a patient Lean from the hips
Use shoulder muscles to help
Avoid twisting while reaching
Avoid hyper-extended position when reaching overhead

8. Describe correct reaching for log rolls:
Kneel as close to the patient’s side as possible When you lean forward, keep back straight Lean solely from hips
Use shoulder muscles to help with the roll
Roll patient without stopping until patient is resting on his/her side

9. State guidelines for pushing and pulling:
Whenever possible, PUSH, rather than PULL!

10. Discuss the general considerations of moving patients:
Emergency Moves Urgent Moves Non-Urgent Moves
Emergency Moves: Fire or danger of fire.
Explosives or hazardous materials.
Inability to protect patient from hazards.
Inability to access others requiring life-saving care.
Other situations that have potential for causing injury.
Inability to provide life-saving care due to patient location/position.
Examples of Emergency Moves:
Clothes Drag
Blanket Drag
Arm Drag
Arm-to-arm Drag
Under arm carry
Front Cradle
Firefighter’s Drag One-person walking assist Firefighter’s Carry
Pack Strap
Urgent Moves:
An urgent move may be necessary for moving a patient with an altered LOC, inadequate ventilation, shock, or extreme weather conditions. A patient sitting in a vehicle must be urgently moved (rapid extrication technique), as they very often cannot be properly assessed
Rapid Extrication Technique – please read Chapter 6, Pages 164-165 for detailed instructions. This technique is a method to move a patient from a sitting position inside a vehicle to a supine position on a backboard in less than one minute, when conditions do not allow for standard immobilization.
Non-Urgent Moves:
Scene and patient are stable. Follow lifting/moving guidelines
Three general movements are generally used: Direct ground lift
Extremity lift Transfer moves: Direct carry
Draw sheet method

11. State three situations that may require the use of an emergency move:
Fire
Explosives/Hazardous Materials on scene
Unable to gain access to others (in a vehicle, for example) needing lifesaving care

12. Identify various carrying devices:
Wheeled stretcher
Portable stretcher
Scoop stretcher (does not provide C-spine immobilization) Flexible stretcher
Basket stretcher
Stair chair
Long backboard (C-spine immobilization)
Short backboard/KED
Child safety seat