Page 35 - lifting and moving-converted (2)_Spread

Carries

If the victim has suffered an injury that does not allow him to

walk out, mechanical transport must be improvised. A single

person who cannot walk but who does not need to be on a

litter (one with, for example, a broken ankle, mild exhaustion,

or acute mountain sickness) may be carried on the back of a

strong rescuer using a rope seat. This is fashioned by passing a

long 1 in (2.5 cm) rope or strap across the victim’s back and

under his arms, then crossing the rope in front of his chest. The

victim is loaded piggyback onto the rescuer’s back, and the

rope ends are passed forward over the shoulders of the

rescuer, under his arms, and around to the rescuer’s back, then

between and through the victim’s legs from the front, and

around the outside of the victim’s legs just under the buttocks,

to be tied snugly in front of the rescuer’s waist. Such a rope

seat is far preferable to a standard fireman’s carry, which is

very fatiguing. A blanket drag is only good for very short

distances, such as to pull a person quickly away from an

immediate hazard.

Fashioning a rope (webbing) seat.