When providing first aid, moving an injured person should be avoided unless absolutely necessary to protect them from further harm. If movement is essential, prioritize their safety and minimize the risk of exacerbating injuries. According to first aid guidelines, the safest method involves dragging the person along the long axis of their body, using their arms or legs for traction, while maintaining body alignment.
Safely Moving an Injured Person
Here's a breakdown of how to move someone safely during first aid situations, based on best practices:
- Assess the situation: Before moving anyone, evaluate the immediate environment for dangers like fire, traffic, or unstable structures. If the environment poses a greater threat, moving the person becomes necessary.
- Minimize movement: Only move the person if their current location poses an immediate threat to their life.
- Support the head and neck: Maintain alignment of the head, neck, and spine to prevent further injury.
- Drag along the long axis: The safest way to move someone is often by dragging them in line with their body.
- Using arms: Grasp the person under their armpits from behind, supporting their head if possible, and drag them.
- Using legs: Grab the person's ankles and drag them, ensuring their head doesn't hit anything.
- Keep the body aligned: Avoid twisting or bending the person's body during the move.
Why Dragging Is Preferred
Dragging minimizes the risk of further injury to both the first aider and the injured person because it keeps the person as stable as possible:
- Reduced strain on the first aider: Dragging often requires less physical exertion than lifting.
- Maintained spinal alignment: Dragging helps maintain the alignment of the spine, reducing the risk of spinal cord injuries.
Important Considerations
- Spinal Injuries: If a spinal injury is suspected, it is crucial to avoid any unnecessary movement and wait for emergency medical services (EMS) if possible.
- Consciousness: The method of movement may need to be adjusted based on the person's level of consciousness.
