Carries

Carries involve lifting and transporting a casualty off the ground. They are used when the person
cannot walk or move independently and when the rescuer can physically support the casualty’s
weight. Carries are generally safer on uneven terrain or for long distances.

ONE-PERSON CARRIES

One-person carries are first aid techniques used to move an injured or unconscious person when
only one rescuer is available. These methods are typically used when there is no immediate
assistance and the situation requires quick evacuation. Below are common types of one-person
carries and their procedures:

1. ONE-PERSON WALK ASSIST

In mass-casualty training, we refer to people who can self- extricate with little or no assistance as
walking wounded. If your victim is able to walk with only minor help from you, let them. The
one-person walk assist offers the least chance for injury to both rescuer and victim.

Steps:

1. Place victim's arm around your neck and hold their wrist:
2. Place your arm nearest to them around their waist and walk with them to safety:

Step 1 Step 2

Note: Although the one-person walk assist is one of the easiest carrying and dragging
techniques, never attempt to move anyone you think may have neck or spinal injuries without
proper training.

2. FIREFIGHTER CARRY
Made famous by the occupation, this type of carry should only be conducted by a very strong
rescuer and a smaller victim. It'll require good lifting techniques as well as good core and lower
body strength. Traversing uneven ground can be difficult because, with the victim in place, the
rescuer becomes very top heavy. The firefighter carry can be used on either a conscious or
unconscious victim.

1. With victim lying down, hook your elbows under their armpits:

2. Raise them to a standing position:

3. Place your right leg between the victim's legs:

4. Grab the victim's right hand with your left:

5. Squat and wrap your right arm around the victim's right knee:

6. Stand and raise the victim's right thigh over your right shoulder
 3. PACK STRAP CARRY

The pack strap carry has been utilized by the military for decades. It's a quick, down-and-dirty
way to move a victim quickly. If not done correctly, this carry can be extremely uncomfortable
for the victim. This is typically used on a conscious victim. For an unconscious victim, it can be
done, but you may require assistance getting them into the position for you to safely follow the
steps.

1. Facing away from the victim, place their arms over your shoulders:

2. Cross the victim's arms grasping the opposite wrist and pull close to your chest:

3. Squat, lean slightly forward, and drive your hips into the victim as you stand:

TWO-PERSON CARRIES

Two-person carries are emergency techniques used to move a casualty with the help of two
rescuers. They are often employed when the casualty is unable to walk but does not have
suspected spinal injuries, or when their weight makes one-person carries impractical. These
techniques allow for safer and more efficient transport of the casualty.

1. TWO-PERSON EXTREMITY CARRY

This is a common carry that's used by first responders and the military. It's easily performed, but
best suited for moving a victim over even terrain, such as along a paved path or within a
building. Both conscious and unconscious victims can be carried in this manner.

Steps:

1. Help the victim to a seated position:

2. First rescuer kneels behind the victim, reaches under their arms, and grabs their
wrists
3. Second rescuer backs between the victim’s legs, squats down, and grabs behind the
knees
4. Stand at the command of the rescuer at the head, focusing on using your legs rather
than your back
 2. CHAIR CARRY

One universal truth when speaking with anyone who prepares for catastrophe is that you use
what's available to you. Moving victims is no different. A chair, for example, makes the transport
of a victim significantly easier on the rescuers. This method is easier to perform with a conscious
victim, but can be done with an unconscious victim as long as due care is taken.

Steps:

1. Place victim in a sturdy chair:

2. First rescuer stands behind, grabs the back of the chair, and leans it back on its hind
legs:
3. Second rescuer backs to the chair, squats down, and grabs the front legs of the chair:
4. Stand at the command of the rescuer head
 3. TWO-HANDED SEAT CARRY

The two-handed seat carry should only be conducted on conscious victims. Rescuers will utilize
their arms to create a seat and the victim will need to be able to hold on for balance and stability.

1. Each rescuer should kneel on either side of the seated victim:

2. Link arms behind the victim's back:

3. Place your free arms under the victim's knees and link arms:

4. Place victim's arms around the shoulders of rescuers and stand together:

Drags

Drags are used when lifting a casualty isn’t safe or possible, especially for heavier individuals,
over short distances, or across smooth surfaces. Drags are particularly useful when there is a risk
of further injury from lifting or when the rescuer lacks the physical strength to carry the casualty.

1. BLANKET DRAG

Along the same line of thought as the chair carry, utilize what you have available to you when
performing a victim drag. The blanket drag can be performed with a blanket, or a sheet, curtains,
towel, tarp, or anything else that'll accomplish the same goal.

Steps:

1. Tuck the blanket under one side of the victim:

2. Roll the victim onto the blanket
3. Adjust the blanket so the victim is centered
4. Grab the blanket by the end near the victim’s head and drag to safety
 2. SHOULDER DRAG

The shoulder drag is another emergent maneuver for when a person needs to be moved quickly.
This drag is difficult to perform over long distances as it's physically taxing on the rescuer.

Steps:

1. Place victim in a seated position:

2. Squat behind the victim and reach under their arms grasping your own wrist:
3. Stand, lean back, and walk backward dragging the victim to safety:

3. FEET DRAG

The feet drag is a last resort. Moving a victim in this manner will most certainly be
uncomfortable for the victim and will likely cause greater injury. It's a “life over limb”
technique. This can really be accomplished only if the victim is unconscious because of the pain
of dragging their torso and head along the ground.

Steps:

1. Squat at the feet of the victim and grasp their ankles:

2. Stand, lean back, and drag: