Solo Savior: How to Safely Carry an Injured Person Alone During First Aid

When faced with a first aid emergency, being able to move an injured person to safety can be crucial. While having multiple rescuers is ideal, sometimes you’re the only one available. Knowing how to safely carry an injured individual by yourself is an invaluable skill. However, it’s essential to understand that this should only be attempted when absolutely necessary, such as when there’s immediate danger (like a fire, collapsing structure, or ongoing threat) or if professional help is significantly delayed. Before attempting any of these techniques, always assess the situation, the environment, and the injured person’s condition to minimize the risk of further injury.

Understanding the Risks and Limitations

Before delving into techniques, it’s critical to acknowledge the limitations of solo carries and the associated risks:

• Increased Risk of Injury: You are at a higher risk of straining your back, shoulders, or knees when lifting and carrying an injured person alone. You may also risk dropping or further injuring the patient.
• Limited Weight Capacity: You cannot safely carry a person who is significantly heavier than you. Attempting to lift a weight that is too heavy can lead to serious injuries for both you and the person you are trying to help.
• Potential for Further Injury to the Patient: Without a stable and controlled lift, you risk exacerbating existing injuries, particularly spinal injuries.
• Reduced Speed and Stability: Carrying a person alone significantly reduces your mobility, agility, and speed.
• Not Suitable for All Situations: Solo carries are not advisable for patients with suspected head, neck, or spinal injuries, unless immediate evacuation from a life-threatening situation is required. In those cases, minimize movement as much as possible and maintain head stabilization.

Prioritize Safety: Always prioritize your own safety and the safety of the injured person. If you feel that you cannot safely move them alone, it’s best to wait for additional help, if possible. While waiting, try to provide any other first aid you can and try to make the injured person as comfortable and safe as possible.

When to Attempt a Solo Carry

Attempt a solo carry only when absolutely necessary, such as:

• Immediate Danger: The injured person is in immediate danger (e.g., fire, gas leak, collapse risk, moving vehicle).
• No Immediate Help Available: There is no way to get immediate professional medical assistance, and moving them is critical for their survival.
• Minor Injuries: The person’s injury is minor and does not involve a suspected spinal injury or other condition aggravated by movement.

Essential Considerations Before a Solo Carry

Before lifting and carrying someone alone, it’s crucial to go through these preparatory steps:

1. Assess the Situation: Quickly evaluate the scene for hazards to you and the injured person. Is it safe to move them? What is the most direct route to safety? Is there anything you can remove or that might make it easier to carry them?
2. Evaluate the Injured Person: What is their apparent state? Are they conscious? Can they assist with any part of the move? Do you suspect any head, neck, or back injuries? This information will determine which carry method is safest and feasible. If the person is conscious, ask them if they have any pain and where.
3. Stabilize the Patient (if possible): If you suspect spinal, head, or neck injuries, minimize movement as much as possible. If you must move them for immediate safety, try to stabilize the head and neck using your hands or any available support.
4. Choose the Right Carry Method: Depending on the person’s condition, weight, and your own strength, choose the most appropriate carrying technique. We will discuss several below.
5. Get a Good Grip: Ensure that you have a secure grip before lifting. A good grip will help to avoid dropping the person.
6. Plan Your Route: Visualize the path you will take and clear any obstructions. Make sure your path will allow you to carry the person in a safe, stable manner.
7. Communicate with the Person (if possible): If the injured person is conscious, explain what you are about to do and how they can assist you. Reassure them and ask if they are feeling any new pain.

Solo Carry Techniques

Here are several solo carry techniques, ranging from simple to more complex, that you can use:

1. The Clothes Drag

Best for: When an injured person is too heavy or unstable to lift. This method is very useful when the individual has a suspected spinal injury because it minimizes the movement of their spine. It’s also useful if you are significantly smaller than the injured person.

How To:

1. Position the patient: Ensure the patient is lying flat on their back.
2. Grip the clothing: From behind their head, grasp their clothing behind their armpits or the shoulders, using a firm grip with both of your hands. Ideally, you will want to be gripping a strong part of their clothing such as the seams.
3. Drag them carefully: Using your legs and core strength, begin to drag the person along the ground. Keep their body as straight and stable as possible. Use a low, controlled drag, moving slowly to avoid further injury. If necessary, you can brace their head with one hand while you are dragging with the other.

Cautions: This method will cause friction between the person’s body and the ground so it is best to avoid using it on hard, rough, or uneven surfaces. This method is very taxing to your lower back so make sure you bend at your knees as much as possible. The clothes drag can cause more injury than lifting if the injured person has skin abrasions.

2. The Shoulder Drag

Best for: Moving someone a short distance when you need to keep your hands free and maintain some mobility.

How To:

1. Position yourself: Have the patient lie on their back. Kneel at their head facing the same direction as their feet.
2. Place their arms: Take their arms and lay them both across their chest.
3. Grip under the armpits: Reach under their armpits and firmly grip their forearms or their hands.
4. Stand and drag: Lean backwards while keeping your back straight. Using your leg and core strength, drag the person backwards. Walk slowly, maintaining control to avoid further injury. As with the clothes drag, be very careful about the surface you are dragging them across.

Cautions: Only use this drag for short distances because it’s difficult to maintain this position for long, and it will quickly wear you out. Also, avoid this drag if the person has any shoulder or arm injuries.

3. The Fireman’s Carry

Best for: Short-to-medium distances when the person is conscious or semi-conscious. This is a secure carry that leaves one hand free to use for other things, like opening doors or navigating obstacles. Requires a significant amount of upper body and core strength.

How To:

1. Position the Person: If the person is conscious or semi-conscious, have them stand. If they are unconscious, get them into a seated position if possible. If seated, position yourself in front of them. If they are standing, position yourself to their side.
2. Position Their Arm: Place one of the injured person’s arms over your shoulder and around the back of your neck. This should be the arm that is on the side you will use to carry them.
3. Lower yourself: Bend down at the knees and grab the injured person’s legs by the knees with one hand. They should now be draped over your back or your side, supported by their arm and leg.
4. Lift with your legs: Using your legs, stand up slowly and gently. The injured person should now be carried over your shoulder, with their weight resting on your back.
5. Move Safely: Walk slowly and carefully, maintaining a steady grip and keeping your back straight. Your free hand can be used to grab on to any support or open doors.

Cautions: This is a strenuous carry. It is difficult to do if the person is significantly heavier than you. Avoid this carry if you suspect back, neck, or head injuries to the patient. This carry is also not suitable for long distances because it will quickly wear you out and may cause you to lose control.

4. The Pack Strap Carry

Best for: Moving an unconscious or semi-conscious person for short to medium distances. It requires some strength and balance but is generally more stable than the fireman’s carry.

How To:

1. Position the Patient: Have the injured person standing or in a semi-seated position. Turn your back to them.
2. Position Their Arms: Bend at your knees and have them place their arms around your neck and across your chest. If they are unconscious, you will need to do this for them.
3. Grip Under Their Legs: Grab their knees or thighs through their legs and grip with a firm hold.
4. Lift and Carry: Slowly stand up, keeping your back as straight as possible, using the strength in your legs to lift the person onto your back. They should be draped across your back, supported by their arms wrapped around your neck and your firm grip on their thighs.
5. Move Steadily: Walk carefully, keeping your back straight and taking short, controlled steps. Your hands should be on their legs at all times to ensure they don’t fall.

Cautions: This carry puts a lot of strain on your lower back and core. Only use it when the distance is very short, or no other carry method is available. Avoid it if the person is significantly heavier than you. Avoid if the person has suspected neck, head, or back injuries.

5. The Cradle Carry (Piggyback Carry)

Best for: Conscious or semi-conscious individuals who are not too heavy and can hold on reasonably well. This is the least strenuous method if the injured person can help support themselves.

How To:

1. Position the Patient: Position yourself with your back to the person. Have them stand or be seated in front of you.
2. Grip Under Their Legs: Have them drape their arms around your neck. If they are unable to do this, you should lift their arms up yourself. Bend your knees and have them place one leg on each side of your hips. Grip under their legs with both of your hands, using a firm grip on their thighs or knees.
3. Lift and Carry: Gently stand up straight while maintaining a firm grip, ensuring they are securely positioned on your back.
4. Move Steadily: Move slowly and carefully, ensuring the person maintains their grip and doesn’t slip off.

Cautions: This method requires the injured person to be at least somewhat conscious and able to hold on. It is not suitable for an unconscious individual or for someone with an injury that would make it difficult to hold on. This is not suitable if you suspect spinal or head injuries.

Important Considerations During the Carry

• Keep Your Back Straight: Use your leg and core muscles, not your back, when lifting or carrying.
• Maintain a Firm Grip: Make sure you have a secure hold throughout the entire move to prevent dropping or further injury to the person.
• Take Short, Controlled Steps: Avoid rushing. Short steps will help you maintain balance and prevent falls.
• Communicate: If the injured person is conscious, continue to reassure them and ask about their condition throughout the carry.
• Monitor for Changes: Be alert to any changes in the person’s condition during the carry. If they deteriorate, stop and re-evaluate.

After the Carry

Once you have moved the injured person to safety:

• Lay the Person Down Gently: Avoid any sudden movements that could cause further injury. Lay the person down carefully, on their back if possible.
• Re-assess the Injury: Check again for any injuries and provide necessary first aid.
• Call for Professional Help: If you have not done so already, call emergency services or seek immediate medical attention.
• Monitor the Person: Continue to monitor their condition until professional help arrives. Provide comfort and reassurance.
• Take Care of Yourself: Don’t forget that you have just done something very difficult. If you are hurt or in pain, be sure to get yourself checked out, too.

Conclusion

Knowing how to carry an injured person alone is a valuable skill, but it comes with serious risks. The information provided here is not a substitute for proper first aid training. If possible, seek out formal instruction that will give you hands-on experience. Always prioritize safety, assess the situation carefully, and choose the carrying technique that is most appropriate given the circumstances. Remember that it’s not wrong to wait for professional help or additional assistance if you feel you are unable to safely move someone alone. Your safety, as well as the safety of the person you are helping, is the top priority in any emergency.