Chapter 6: Lifting and Moving Patients

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core principles of body mechanics, classifications of moves, specialized equipment specifications, and tactical field protocols from Chapter 6.

Keep the Weight Close

A foundational pillar of body mechanics requiring rescuers to hold an object or patient as close to their torso as possible in order to reduce lower back strain.

Lift with Your Legs

A body mechanics rule stating that rescuers must always utilize their leg, hip, and gluteal muscles during a lift, never pulling or lifting with the back.

"Stack" Your Frame

A technique in body mechanics where the rescuer maintains vertical alignment among their head, shoulders, hips, and feet.

Minimize Distance

A body mechanics guideline aimed at reducing the lifting height or overall distance a load must be moved manually.

Emergency Moves

Patient movements conducted when an immediate environmental hazard threatens crew or patient safety (e.g., active fire, toxic gases, structural collapse risk, or extreme weather), typically executed along the patient's long axis using an armpit-forearm drag, shirt drag, or blanket drag.

Urgent Moves

Patient movement techniques employed when the external environment is safe but an immediate internal life threat exists (such as a compromised airway, respiratory failure, or severe shock), typically using rapid extrication protocols.

Nonurgent Moves

Planned, stable, and controlled patient transfers used when no immediate threat to life exists, including the direct ground lift, extremity lift, direct carry, and draw sheet method.

Wheeled Stretcher

The standard ambulance transport device that accommodates patients weighing up to $650\,\text{lbs}$, restricted to smooth terrain, requiring all straps to be immediately fastened and the patient never left unattended.

Bariatric Stretcher

A heavy-duty transport device rated to handle loads up to $1{,}600\,\text{lbs}$, requiring extra personnel to maneuver and wide turning radiuses in confined spaces.

Stair Chair

A device designed for navigating stairs, tight hallways, and narrow corridors, which is strictly contraindicated for patients with altered mental status, spinal trauma, or lower extremity injuries.

Long Backboard

A rigid device designed for spine motion restriction (SMR) and patient carrying that requires log-rolling the patient to properly secure them.

Vacuum Mattress

A conforming immobilization and transport device that becomes rigid around the patient's anatomical contours once air is evacuated from it.

Scoop Stretcher

A transport device that splits into longitudinal halves to slide beneath and assemble around a patient resting on the ground; not recommended for suspected spinal injuries.

Basket Stretcher

A wire or plastic "Stokes" basket used primarily for technical rescues or rough terrain, capable of accommodating long backboards and scoop stretchers inside.

Flexible Stretcher

A canvas or rubber "Reeves" device suitable for highly restricted spaces that wraps securely around the patient to minimize their profile.

Spotter (Stair Operations)

A third crew member who walks backward down stairs beneath the lower rescuer carrying a stair chair, placing a hand on the rescuer's back to provide guidance and prevent falls.

Left Lateral Recumbent Position

The recommended transport position for pregnant patients past $20\,\text{weeks}$ of gestation to alleviate fetal pressure on the inferior vena cava and prevent maternal hypotension.

Pedi-Mate Plus

A specialized restraint harness system utilized to safely secure pediatric patients, specifically infants and toddlers, directly to a stretcher.

Air Transport Packaging Protocol

The preparation steps required before transferring a patient to a helicopter flight crew, including securing the airway tightly, fastening all equipment, and covering the patient's eyes, ears, and open wounds against rotor wash debris.