Safe Spinal Injury Evacuation: First Aid & Moving Techniques

When you suspect a spinal injury, only medical professionals should move an injured person. But when there is more immediate danger (for example, a slippery slope or an icy river), you - and those with you - may need to move the injured person to safety yourselves.

Instructions

Preparation

• 1

  Appoint a leader: The most experienced person on the scene is the leader, who issues all commands.

Position the Lifters

• 2

  Place the leader at the top of the injured person's head, facing the injured person's toes. The leader holds the head with both hands, stabilizing it by holding firmly and allowing no motion.

• 3

  Position two of the other rescuers on one side of the injured person: one at the chest, one at the pelvis.

• 4

  Position the other two rescuers on the other side of the injured person: one at the waist, one at the legs.

• 5

  Visualize where each rescuer's arms will go by having each rescuer hold their arms, palms up, over the portion of the injured person's body that they plan to lift.

Lift, Move and Lower

• 6

  Place the hands, as positioned in step 5, underneath the injured person. Nestle the hands and forearms as far under the person as possible, being careful not to jar the injured person.

• 7

  Lift the injured person on the leader's call: "Lift on three. One, two, three!" Elevate as high as necessary to avoid any obstacles along the route.

• 8

  Move the injured person on the leader's call: "Move on three. One, two, three!"

• 9

  Lower the injured person on the leader's call: "Down on three. One, two, three!"