Do not move an injured person unless he or she is in a life-threatening situation. Moving an injured person can make the injury worse. If the person has a spinal cord injury, this can cause him to be permanently paralyzed. If he or she is not in urgent or life-threatening danger, call the emergency department for medical attention. If you do need to remove the person from imminent danger, it is important to do so properly to reduce the risk to both the person and yourself.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Protecting the Spine
Step 1. Do not move a person if you think he has a spinal cord injury
Moving it can do more damage and even paralyze it. If you're not sure the person has a spinal cord injury, you should still treat it assuming he or she has it. Signs of a spinal cord injury include:
- Have a head injury, especially one that involves a blow to the head or neck.
- Shows a change in consciousness, for example, becoming unconscious or confused.
- Experiencing pain in the neck or back.
- Do not move the neck.
- Experiencing weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the body.
- Loss of control over the bladder or bowels.
- Dislocated head or neck in odd positions.
- Reacts to painful stimuli (trapezius pinch or sternal rub) by moving the body inward or by elongating the body upwards (called posturing).
Step 2. Stabilize the person suffering from a spinal cord injury
If the person's head or body moves, it can increase the damage to the spine. You can prevent this from happening by:
- Place towels or pillows on either side of the person's head to prevent them from rolling or shifting.
- Give first aid, such as artificial respiration, without moving the head. This means that you should not tilt the person's head back, to open the air inlet. Instead, use the jaw-pushing method.
- Do not remove the person's helmet if he or she is wearing it. For example, if he's wearing a bicycle or motorcycle helmet, leave it alone so you don't move his spine.
Step 3. Roll the person to the side if necessary
This should be done if he is in emergency danger, for example if he vomits or chokes on blood. In this case, you may have to roll the person aside. It's important to do this with at least one other person so you can prevent that person's body from twisting.
- One person should be near his head and another person should be beside his body. Both must coordinate so that the spine remains straight when the person is rolled over. Twisting can cause more damage to the spine.
- When overthrowing him, wait for a sign from the person. Roll over by holding the shoulder and waist on the opposite side, then roll the patient toward you. Even if he is in this position, quickly examine his back and neck for any visible injuries.
Method 2 of 2: Transferring People without Spine Injury
Step 1. Use the support method
If the person is conscious and able to move on their own, this may be the most effective method. This method can be used if the person has an injury to only one leg.
- Bend your knee by bending it and then straighten it again next to the injured person on the injured side. Ask him to sit up straight and wrap his arms around your shoulders. Stand up slowly, allowing the injured person to support himself or herself with the useable leg. You will support his weight on the injured side. Hold his hand around your shoulder with the hand farthest from him. Place your other hand around her hip.
- Help her balance as she jumps to safety. This allows him to minimize the amount of weight that must be supported on the injured leg.
Step 2. Drag the person to safety
The dragging method is safer than lifting, both for yourself and for the injured person. Lifting increases the amount of weight you have to support and increases the person's risk of falling. Always drag slowly and steadily, moving it in as straight a line as possible. You need to keep the person's spine straight so that it doesn't twist or bend unnaturally. The drag method you use will depend on the injury the person has.
- Dragging feet - This method is used when the person has no leg injury, but is unable to walk. Bend your knees to keep your back straight, but you can hold the knees. Lean back slowly and steadily and use your body weight to drag the person to safety. Be careful not to drag it across surfaces or objects that could injure it. If you're sure he doesn't have a spinal cord injury, you can lift his head and place something under him to protect his head. If you think the person may have a spinal cord injury, you should move the head as little as possible.
- Drag arm - This method is important when the person has a foot injury. Bend your legs and keep your back straight. This will protect your own back. Lift the person's arms up and hold them at the elbows. Press your elbows against the sides of your head to keep them supported and not dragging on the ground. Use your own body weight to lean on yourself and slowly drag the person to safety.
- Dragging clothes - If he has an arm and leg injury, he may need to be dragged through his clothes. If you use this method, pay close attention to the clothes to make sure they don't suddenly rip and cause their head to hit the ground. Bend your knees and hold the clothes under his armpits. Lean back and use your body weight to drag the person.
Step 3. Carry the children in the cradle method
This method is quick and easy but can only be used for children and people younger than the rescuer. Since the person's entire weight is supported by your arms, you will quickly feel tired.
- Lift the child so that you carry him in front of you with one hand on his back and the other under his knee.
- Bend the knees and keep your back straight as you lift. If you hurt your back while lifting the person, you won't be able to help effectively.
Step 4. Carry a larger size person such as a backpack
This method can be used if the person is too big for you to carry in the forward-carrying position or if the person has to be carried too far away for you to use the forward-carrying position. It can be used for unconscious people.
- Start with the injured person in a supine position. Bend his legs and stand with your feet resting on his toes. Lift him using his wrists to a standing position.
- When placing the person in a standing position, rotate them so that their chest touches your back and their arms rest on your shoulders. This allows you to grab the person's arm, lift it slightly at the waist, and carry it around like a backpack.
