Mapeh

• Moving a casualty carries with a very real risk. It is either you make the casualty safe or aggravate his/her injury or condition.
• It is important not to move the casualty unless he/she is in immediate danger or must be moved to a shelter while awaiting medical help to arrive. You must never ever endanger your own safety to move a casualty.
• Handling and Transporting Rules


  • Do not move a casualty unless absolutely necessary. Do not endanger your own safety.
  • Always explain to a casualty what you are doing so that he/she can cooperate if possible.
  • Do not move the casualty alone if help is not available. Make sure helpers understand what they are to do so they can cooperate fully.
  • When several people are moving a casualty, only one person should give verbal commands.
  • To protect yourself from back injury when lifting or carrying a casualty, always use the correct lifting technique.
• How to lift correctly

  • Lifting and lowering should not harm the casualty or yourself. Always use your strongest muscles- those at the thigh, hip, and shoulders.
• How to lift correctly

  1. Place your feet comfortably apart, one slightly in front of the other. This ensures a stable balanced posture.

  2. Keep your back straight and bend at your knees.

  3. Grip with your whole hand.

  4. Keep the weight of the person you are lifting as close to you as possible.

  5. If you start to lose your balance or grip, lower the casualty, adjust your position or group as necessary and start again.
• One-person carry: Human Crutch


  • Stand on the casualty's injured or weaker side. Pass his/her arm around your neck and grasp his/her or wrist with your hand.
  • Pass your other arm around the casualty's waist. Grasp his waistband or clothing to support him.
  • Move off on the inside foot. Take small steps and walk at the casualty's pace. A walking stick or staff may give him additional support. Reassure the casualty throughout.
• One-person carry: Drag Method


  Place the casualty's arms across his/her chest. Crouch behind him/her, grasp his/her armpits and pull.
• One-person carry: Cradle Method


  • Squat beside the casualty. Pass one of your arms around the casualty's trunk above the waist.
  • Pass your other arm under his/her thighs. Hug his/her body towards you and lift.
• One-person carry: Pick-a-back


  • Crouch in front of the casualty, with your back to him/her. Tell him/her to put his/her arms around your neck.
  • Grasp the casualty's thighs and rise slowly keeping your back straight.
• Two-person carry: The Two-handed Seat


  • Squat facing each other on either side of the casualty. Cross arms behind his/her back, and grasp his/her waistband.
  • Pass your other hands under the casualty's knees, and grasp each other's wrist. Bring your linked arms up to the middle of the casualty's thighs.
  • Move in close to the casualty. Keeping your backs straight, rise slowly, and move off together.
• Two-person carry: The Fore-and Aft Carry


  • Sit the casualty up and put his/her arms across his/her chest.
  • Squat behind the casualty. Slide your arms under his/her armpits and grasp his/her wrists firmly.
  • Ask your helper to squat beside the casualty and pass his/her arms under his/her thighs, taking hold of his/her legs.
  • Working together, rise slowly and move off.
• Two-person carry: Carry Chair

  • Unfold the chair. Push down on the seat to make sure it can support the casualty's weight.
  • Sit the casualty well back. Cross his/her arms, put his/her feet on the bar, and strap him/her in.
  • Tilt the chair back to its wheels, and push forward to move off.
• Two-person carry: Canvas-and-Pole Stretcher


  • Concertina- fold one end of the canvas to the middle, making three or four folds. Repeat at the other end.
  • Gently slide the folded canvas under the casualty, using the hollow at the small of his/her back. With one person on either side of the casualty, working together, pull the lower half of the canvas down to his/her feet.
  • Pull the other half of the casualty's head.
  • Slide the poles up the sleeves of the canvas.
  • Fit the spreader bars over the ends of the poles for rigiding.
• Two-person carry: Orthopaedic Stretcher


  • Place the stretcher alongside the casualty. Adjust it so that it is slightly longer than the casualty at either end.
  • Uncouple the ends of the stretcher, and ease one half, and then the other, under the casualty.
  • Re-join the stretcher at the head end, while your helper holds the two halves at the foot end firmly in line.
  • Join the foot ends, making sure the casualty's back or buttocks are not pinched.
  • Working together at either end, lift the stretcher very carefully.
  • Place the casualty on a standard stretcher or trolley cot. Undo the scoop and ease it away.