CARRYING THE VICTIM

ONE RESCUER

Ankle Pull
The ankle pull is the fastest method for moving a victim a
short distance over a smooth surface. This is not a
preferred method of patient movement.

1. Grasp the victim by both ankles and pant cuffs.

2. Pull with your legs, not your back.
3. Keep your back as straight as possible.
4. Try to keep the pull as straight and in-line as
possible.
5. Keep aware that the head is unsupported and may
bounce over bumps and surface imperfections.

Shoulder Pull
The shoulder pull is preferred to the ankle pull. It supports
the head of the victim. The negative is that it requires the
rescuer to bend over at the waist while pulling.

1. Grasp the victim by the clothing under the

shoulders.
2. Keep your arms on both sides of the head.
3. Support the head.
4. Try to keep the pull as straight and in-line as
possible.

Blanket Pull
This is the preferred method for dragging a victim.

1. Place the victim on the blanket by using the “logroll”

or the three-person lift.
2. The victim is placed with the head approx. 2 ft. from
one corner of the blanket.
3. Wrap the blanket corners around the victim.
4. Keep your back as straight as possible.
5. Use your legs, not your back.
6. Try to keep the pull as straight and in-line as
possible.
 One-Person Lift

Place your arms under the victim’s

knees and around their back.

Firefighter Carry
This technique is for carrying a victim longer
distances. It is very difficult to get the person up to this
position from the ground. Getting the victim into
position requires a very strong rescuer or an assistant.
The victim is carried over one shoulder.

The rescuer’s arm, on the side that the victim is being

carried, is wrapped across the victim’s legs and grasps
the victim’s opposite arm.

Pack-Strap Carry
When injuries make the firefighter carry unsafe, this
method is better for longer distances than the one-person
lift.

1. Place both the victim’s arms over your shoulders.

2. Cross the victim’s arms, grasping the victim’s opposite
wrist.
3. Pull the arms close to your chest.
4. Squat slightly and drive your hips into the victim while
bending slightly at the waist.
5. Balance the load on your hips and support the victim
with your legs.
 TWO RESCUERS

Human Crutch/Two-Person Drag

For the conscious victim, this carry allows the victim to
swing their leg using the rescuers as a pair of crutches.
For the unconscious victim, it is a quick and easy way to
move a victim out of immediate danger.

1. Both rescuers stand on either side of the victim’s

chest.
2. The rescuer’s hand nearest the feet grabs the victim’s
wrist on their side of the victim.
3. The rescuer’s other hand grasps the clothing of the
shoulder nearest them.
4. Pulling and lifting the victim’s arms, the rescuers
bring the victim into a sitting position.
5. The conscious victim will then stand with rescuer
assistance.
6. The rescuers place their hands around the victim’s waist
7. For the unconscious victim, the rescuers will grasp the belt or waistband of the victim’s
clothing.
8. The rescuers will then squat down.
9. Place the victim’s arms over their shoulders so that they end up facing the same direction as
the victim.
10. Then, using their legs, they stand with the victim.
11. The rescuers then move out, dragging the victim’s legs behind.

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.

1. Position the hands as indicated in the graphic.

2. Lower the seat and allow the victim to sit.
3. Lower the seat using your legs, not your back.
4. When the victim is in place, stand using your
legs, keeping your back straight.
 Two-Handed Seat
This technique is for carrying a victim longer
distances. This technique can support an
unconscious victim.

1. Pick up the victim by having both rescuers squat

down on either side of the victim.
2. Reach under the victim’s shoulders and under
their knees.
3. Grasp the other rescuer’s wrists.
4. From the squat, with good lifting technique,
stand.
5. Walk in the direction that the victim is facing.

Chair Carry
This is a good method for carrying victims up and
down stairs or through narrow or uneven areas.

1. Pick the victim up and place them or have them sit

in a chair.
2. The rescuer at the head grasps the chair from the
sides of the back, palms in.
3. The rescuer at the head then tilts the chair back onto
its rear legs.
4. For short distances or stairwells, the second rescuer
should face in and grasp the chair legs.
5. For longer distances, the second rescuer should
separate the victim’s legs, back into the chair and, on
the command of the rescuer at the head, both rescuers
stand using their legs.

Improvised Stretcher
This technique requires two poles/pipes strong enough to
support the victim’s weight and at least two shirts.

Note: Rescuers should not give up clothing if, for any

reason, this might affect their health, welfare, or reduce
their effectiveness.

1. While the first rescuer is grasping the litter poles, the

second rescuer pulls the shirt off the head of rescuer
one.
2. All buttons should be buttoned with the possible
exception of the collar and cuffs.
3. The rescuers then reverse the procedure and switch
sides.
 Blanket Stretcher
This technique requires two poles and a blanket.

1. Place the blanket down on the ground.

2. Place one pole approx. 1 foot from the middle of
the blanket.
3. Fold the short end of the blanket over the first
pole.
4. Place the second pole approx. 2 feet from the first
(this distance may vary with victim or blanket size).
5. Fold both halves of the blanket over the second
pole.

THREE OR MORE RESCUERS

Hammock Carry
Three or more rescuers get on both sides of the victim.
The strongest member is on the side with the fewest
rescuers.

1. Reach under the victim and grasp one wrist on the

opposite rescuer.
2. The rescuers on the ends will only be able to grasp
one wrist on the opposite rescuer.
3. The rescuers with only one wrist grasped will use
their free hands to support the victim’s head and
feet/legs.
4. The rescuers will then squat and lift the victim on
the command of the person nearest the head, remembering to use proper lifting techniques.

Three-Person Carry or Stretcher Lift

This technique is for lifting a patient into a bed or
stretcher, or for transporting them to short distances.

1. Each person kneels on the knee nearest the victim’s

feet.
2. On the command of the person at the head, the
rescuers lift the victim up and rest the victim on their
knees.
3. On the command of the person at the head, all the
rescuers will stand.
4. To walk, all rescuers will start out on the same foot,
walking in a line abreast.