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Five Methods:The Human Crutch (for All Victims)The Four-Handed Seat (for Fully Alert Victims Only)The Two-Handed Seat (for All Victims Long Distance)The Chair Lift (All Victims - for Stairs or Tight Places)Improvised Stretcher (for Victims Unable to Help Rescuers)

There are situations when civilians like you need to carry wounded people to medical help or away from further harm. In these cases, you must consider the number of rescuers you have, the abilities of these rescuers and the condition of the victim that must be moved. This article will discuss several ways to carry an injured person using two people.

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Method 1 of 5: The Human Crutch (for All Victims)

  1. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 1.jpg
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    Stand on either side of the conscious victim, facing each other. Grab the victim's wrist with the hand closest to the victim's feet on your side.
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  2. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 2.jpg
    2
    Use your other hand to grasp the clothing on the shoulder nearest to you and pull with your partner on the victim's arms to help them to a sitting position.
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    Assist the victim to his or her feet and place the arms around your shoulders, if possible.
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    Place your free hand around the person's waist and let him or her set the pace on hobbling out.
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    Grasp the belt or waistband of an unconscious victim's clothing. Pull on it slightly to get the person's upper body off the ground.
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    Squat down next to the person and place the person's arms around your shoulders. Your partner should do the same, making sure you are aligned in the same direction as the person.
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    Use your legs to slowly stand with the unconscious person. Move out with the victim's legs dragging behind.

Method 2 of 5: The Four-Handed Seat (for Fully Alert Victims Only)

  1. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 8.jpg
    1
    Face your partner and hold your right wrist with your left hand. Grab your partner's left wrist with your right hand. You should have an interlocked knot "seat" for the victim to sit on.
  2. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 9.jpg
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    Lower yourselves by bending your knees, keeping your wrists interlocked so the injured person can sit down.
  3. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 10.jpg
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    Stand up slowly, keeping your back as straight as you can. The person being carried can place an arm around the shoulder of each rescuer to keep balanced. Move out.

Method 3 of 5: The Two-Handed Seat (for All Victims Long Distance)

  1. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 11.jpg
    1
    Crouch on each side of the wounded person. He or she does not have to be conscious.
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    Reach underneath the victim's shoulders with one arm and beneath the knees with the other arm.
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    Grab onto your partner's wrists and hold tightly. At the top, you might have to hold your partner's arm or shoulder instead.
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    Stand slowly, being sure not to lift with your back. Start walking in the direction the person you are carrying is facing.

Method 4 of 5: The Chair Lift (All Victims - for Stairs or Tight Places)

  1. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 15.jpg
    1
    Help or place the victim onto a sturdy chair. The conscious victim should fold his or her arms across the chest to prevent injury. Tie an unconscious victim to the back of the chair using a blanket or piece of clothing.
    • You or your partner should stand at the head of the chair. Grab the back of the chair's sides with your palms facing the victim's back.
    • The other rescuer should tilt the chair onto its rear legs. Face the person on the chair and hold the chair by its front legs. Lift the chair off the ground and start walking.

Method 5 of 5: Improvised Stretcher (for Victims Unable to Help Rescuers)

  1. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 16.jpg
    1
    Locate 2 "poles" that can hold the person's weight. These items can be tent poles, car rack poles or even two sturdy pieces of wood.
    • You should also locate a "middle" for the stretcher that is also able to withhold the person's weight. This can be a blanket, unzipped sleeping bag or a tarp.
  2. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 17.jpg
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    Lay the blanket (or other selected material)f lat on the ground. Place 1 "pole" about 1 foot (30.48 cm) from the center of the blanket.
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    Fold the shorter end of the blanket over the first pole. Put the second pole about 2 feet (61cm) from the first pole, if possible.
    • You may have to adjust the second pole's placement to accommodate for the size of the victim or blanket.
  4. Carry an Injured Person Using Two People Step 19.jpg
    4
    Fold both halves of the blanket over the second pole. You should stand at one end of the stretcher and your partner at the other end. Squat down and grasp each pole end on your side.
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    5
    Carefully lift the victim and start walking. It may be easier for the person at the head to grasp the poles facing away from the victim to navigate.
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Tips

  • Try practicing these techniques at home so you are familiar with which ones you can use when it becomes needed.
  • Use proper lifting technique when picking up a wounded person. Remember to lift with your legs, not your back.

Warnings

  • Only move a victim with a suspected head or spinal injury if absolutely necessary, such as to escape falling debris, fire or rising water. Stabilize his or her neck and spine as soon as it is safe.
  • Remember to evaluate your partner and your own strengths and weaknesses. You may not be able to use one or more of these methods. Continue trying methods until you find one that works in your situation.

Things You'll Need

  • Chair (if applicable)
  • Poles (if applicable)
  • Blanket type material (if applicable)


Related wikiHows

How to
Provide Effective Emergency Leadership During First Aid

Sources and Citations

  • The Boy Scouts of America. Lifts and Carries (1995).

Article Info

Categories: First Aid and Emergencies

In other languages:

Español: Cómo cargar a una persona lesionada entre dos personas, Português: Como Carregar Uma Pessoa Machucada Entre Duas Pessoas

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