EMT-Basic/Preparatory/Lifting
Lesson 1.6: Lifting and Moving Patients
Objectives
editBy the end of this lesson, the EMT-Basic should be able to:
- Define body mechanics.
- Discuss the guidelines and safety precautions that need to be followed when lifting a patient.
- Describe the safe lifting of cots and stretchers.
- Describe the guidelines and safety precautions for carrying patients and/or equipment.
- Discuss one-handed carrying techniques.
- Describe correct and safe carrying procedures on stairs.
- State the guidelines for reaching and their application.
- Describe correct reaching for log rolls.
- State the guidelines for pushing and pulling.
- Discuss the general considerations of moving patients.
- State three situations that may require the use of an emergency move.
- Identify the following patient carrying devices: Wheeled ambulance stretcher, portable ambulance stretcher, stair chair, scoop stretcher, long spine board, basket stretcher, flexible stretcher.
- Explain the rationale for properly lifting and moving patients.
- Demonstrate the techniques for preparing patient carrying devices for use, transferring a patient to the device, and moving the patient to the ambulance using the device, along with a partner.
- Demonstrate the techniques for the transfer of a patient from an ambulance stretcher to a hospital stretcher, along with a partner.