Chapter 25Rescuing and Moving

Injured People

Water Rescue

• Reach-throw-row-go– Reach for the person.– Throw anything that floats.

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• Reach-throw-row-go (cont’d)– Row to the person.– Go by swimming (must be trained).

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Water Rescue

Drowning

• Drowning: the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid.– The person’s face (mouth and nose) must be

immersed (covered) in water.– Submersion: the entire body, including the

face, is under water.

Care for a Drowning Person

• Survey the scene before rescue.• If the person was diving, suspect a

possible spinal injury.• Check breathing; treat accordingly.• If no spinal injury is suspected, place

person on his or her side.

Cold-Water Immersion

• Cold water is water less than 70F.• Cold water causes heat loss 25 times

faster than cold air.• Survivors should get as much of their

bodies out of water as possible.• Two potential medical emergencies

– Drowning and hypothermia

Cold-Water Immersion

• Cooling speed depends on:– Body fat– Body type– Physical fitness– Water temperature

– Clothing– Alcohol– Behavior

Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP)

• Draw knees close to chest.

• Press arms to sides.

• Remain quiet.

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Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP)

• Two or more people should huddle together quietly.

• Requires personal flotation devices

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Ice Rescue

• Near the shore– Extend a pole or throw a line to person with

floatable object attached to it.– Pull person toward shore or edge of ice.

Ice Rescue

• Away from the shore– Lie flat and push a

ladder, plank, or similar object ahead of you.

– Tie a rope to a spare tire and an anchor point on shore.

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Electrical Emergency Rescue

• Electricity enters the body at point of contact and travels along nerves and blood vessels.

• Most indoor electrocutions are caused by:– Faulty electrical equipment– Careless use of electrical appliances

Electrical Emergency Rescue

• Before touching the person– Turn off the electricity.– If you feel a tingling, do not approach.

• Raise one foot and hop to safety.– If a power line falls over a car, the driver and

passenger should stay in the car.• Unless a fire or explosion threatens

Clues of a Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Warning signs on vehicle

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

Clues of a Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Leaks or spills• Strong, noxious odors• Cloud or strange-looking smoke

Motor Vehicle Crashes

• In most states, you are legally obligated to stop and help when you are involved.

• Park at least five car lengths away.• If police have not arrived, call 9-1-1.• Turn on emergency hazard flashers.• Make sure scene is safe.

Motor Vehicle Crashes

• If you suspect spinal injuries, stabilize head and neck.

• Check and monitor breathing.• If possible, wait for EMS personnel to

remove people.• Allow EMS to transport people.

Fires

• Use the RACE mnemonic.– R = Rescue. Get people out of the building.– A = Activate. Call 9-1-1.– C = Confine. Close doors and windows.– E = Extinguish.

Fires

• Use a fire extinguisher if fire is small and escape route is clear.

• PASS technique– P = Pull extinguisher’s lock pin.– A = Aim nozzle at base of fire.– S = Squeeze handles together.– S = Sweep from side to side at base of flames.

Fires

• If clothing catches fire– Tear article off away from face.– Keep person from running.– Wrap a rug or blanket around person’s neck

or throw a blanket on the person.– Smother the flames by rolling the person on

the floor.

Threatening Dogs

• Look for signs of a dog before entering.• Proceed with caution.• Ask owner to control a threatening dog.• Consider using a fire extinguisher, water

hose, or pepper spray.• Call police for assistance with a vicious

dog.

Farm Animals

• Farm animals can be dangerous.• Approach situation with caution.• Do not frighten or chase an animal.• Be aware of territorial posturing.• Do not attempt to capture animal.• Use food to lure the animal away.

Confined Spaces

• Any area not intended for human occupancy that may have or develop a dangerous atmosphere

• Three types of confined spaces– Below ground– Ground level– Above ground

Confined Spaces

• If someone enters and signals for help or becomes unresponsive– Call 9-1-1.– Try to rescue after help arrives.– Only trained and properly equipped rescuers

should enter the space.– Provide care once the person is removed.

Triage: Prioritizing Multiple Injured People

• Triage is the process of prioritizing or classifying injured people.– Greatest good for the greatest number– Effective for situations with more injured

people than rescuers, and in situations where time is critical

Triage Categories

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Conducting Triage

• Tell all people who can walk to move to a specific area.– Walking wounded: delayed care– Do not force people to move.– Direct them to a designated safe area.

Conducting Triage

• Start surveying each person who did not get up and walk.– Begin with person closest to where you are

standing.– Quickly get to each person and sort each by

his or her need for care.

Conducting Triage

• When performing triage.– If a person fails one of the tests, tag as

immediate.– If a person passes all of the tests, tag as

delayed.– Everyone should get a tag.

Conducting Triage

• Reassess people regularly.• Give care to those with less serious

conditions only after people with immediate life-threatening conditions receive care.

Moving People

• All necessary first aid should be provided before moving a person.

• Only move if there is immediate danger.– Fire– Explosives or hazardous materials– Impossible to protect from hazards– Impossible to access other persons

Emergency Moves

• Every effort should be made to pull person in the direction of the long axis of the body to protect spinal cord.– Use various techniques.

Emergency Moves

• Shoulder drag• Ankle drag• Blanket pull

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© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.

Emergency Moves

• Human crutch• Cradle carry

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Emergency Moves

• Firefighter’s carry• Pack-strap carry• Piggyback carry

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© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.

Emergency Moves

• Two-person assist• Two-handed seat

carry

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© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.

Emergency Moves

• Four-handed seat carry• Extremity carry• Chair carry

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Emergency Moves

• Hammock carry

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• All injured parts should be stabilized before and during moving.

• The safest way to carry an injured person is on some type of stretcher or litter.

Nonemergency Moves

Nonemergency Moves

• Blanket-and-pole improvised stretcher• Blanket with no poles

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Nonemergency Moves

• Board-improvised stretcher• Commercial stretchers and litters

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