Help learning fireman's carry, ASAP!

[Iamjennmedic]

Originally Posted by BeachHead

I thought the typical fireman carry had the arm of the carrier between the legs of the unconcious person, that way the weight is distributed evenly across the back. At least that is how I learned it.

You can but with little people it is easier to do it this way, but its more for grip than anything. It varies from patient to patient.

[I. Kay]

I'm totally gonna rent this flick when it gets released.

Jenn kicks ass.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by galya

Thank you! Thank you! I was carried around a bunch, no kidding. Let's hope he doesn't drop that guy tomorrow
Also, just to let you know, it's this guy (Steven Baldwin), Jonas is nervous about hurting him. Thank you all for helping, wow!

Storm into his trailer, slap down from HOT-ROX and tell Fatty Baldwin to start cutting.

[diamondpete]

From what I understand the fireman carry is no longer commonly used because it is very easy to injure yourself and the patient if the have a back/neck injury. (Jenn I was told by a Niagara firefighter that NF does not use it anymore) They commonly use two firefighters, one at the head and one at the feet. They lift from the torso and the the knees.

Jenn - kool pics.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by diamondpete

From what I understand the fireman carry is no longer commonly used because it is very easy to injure yourself and the patient if the have a back/neck injury.

You missed a word in your sentence. If the patient has a back/neck injury?

If one FF is at the feet and another at the head, how is that going to help if they are pulling the person apart?

[Iamjennmedic]

Originally Posted by diamondpete

From what I understand the fireman carry is no longer commonly used because it is very easy to injure yourself and the patient if the have a back/neck injury. (Jenn I was told by a Niagara firefighter that NF does not use it anymore) They commonly use two firefighters, one at the head and one at the feet. They lift from the torso and the the knees.

Jenn - kool pics.

Of course when you have two people we always try to do the fore and aft lift (thats what you are describing) but in extreme cases we are still trained in rapid extraction. One of those lifts is the fireman carry. When its a matter of life or death you do what you have to. We have other one man lifts that we use in order to stabilize the cervical spine in case of damage based on the mechanism of injury. But we just try to do what we can and what is best for our patient.

And thanks guys

[Iamjennmedic]

Originally Posted by Cynic

You missed a word in your sentence. If the patient has a back/neck injury?

If one FF is at the feet and another at the head, how is that going to help if they are pulling the person apart?

LOL the fore and aft lift has the one person at the head end like so- the person squats down behind the patient sumo style and the patients head rests on his/her chest and shoulder to keep the spine in neutral alignment, the fireguy or medic gives the pt a bear hug and crosses the pt's arms over there chest so that he/she has a firm grip on the pt's wrists. The person at the foot end is lifting the pt at the knees to help support the weight. We work as a team and count out our lifts. We move up as one unit and walk with the pt as a unit. It really is very effective

[diamondpete]

Jenn

Thanks for explaining that one, but I actually meant that they pull the patient apart! LOL

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by Iamjennmedic

It really is very effective

I'll trust your opinion Jenn. It just seems that two independent people working to move an object cannot help but exert some opposed force, at some point in the step, against the object. It's almost a "can't make an omelette..." argument. It's bound to happen.

I was army trained, but only trained because my MOS was diff from infantry or medic.

[Iamjennmedic]

LOL well the person at the kneesis basiclly just holding the legs up, your partner is really doing all the work and calling the movement. They use their body as a sort of split. We are trained to move together and work as a team. Out on the road all we have is each other and we have to be fast and effecient. You usually work with the same person for years and I think that helps, you figure we work a min of 12 per day with the same person. You just do your best and try to work with each and not against each other. We try to have eye contact as much as possible too. I don't know it just works

[kmwest]

Originally Posted by BeachHead

I thought the typical fireman carry had the arm of the carrier between the legs of the unconcious person, that way the weight is distributed evenly across the back. At least that is how I learned it.

That's how I learned it. For a right-hander like me, you shoulder the person evenly across your back, preferably with their legs to your right and their head to your left. Slip your right arm through their legs and reach over and hold onto their arms with your left hand. That leaves the left hand open to carry a weapon. But I guess for a non-combat related situation, it would probably be better to hold a leg with your right hand and both their arms with your left arm.

[galya]

Quick update: husband did great picking Steven up. His hands were tied with chains so that was cool. He stood him up by the wrists, put one arm under his chest then swung him onto his back legs and all and carried him off. He was pleased and only had to do two takes (after 10 rehearsals). He will be sore tomorrow

[Iamjennmedic]

Originally Posted by galya

Quick update: husband did great picking Steven up. His hands were tied with chains so that was cool. He stood him up by the wrists, put one arm under his chest then swung him onto his back legs and all and carried him off. He was pleased and only had to do two takes (after 10 rehearsals). He will be sore tomorrow

Awesome Galya very very cool Glad it worked out so well !!