Basic First Aid Rescuing and Moving of Victims for lay people and first responders.

1. Karen Hetrick NREMT-P

2.  Reach-throw-row-go
◦ Reach for victim.
◦ Throw anything that floats.
◦ Row by using canoe or other boat (not to be
attempted without personal floatation devices and
beware of water conditions).
◦ Go by swimming (absolute last resort, should not
be attempted by untrained personal or those
without personal flotation devices).

3.  Extend a pole or throw a line to victim
with floatable object.
 Pull victim toward shore or edge of
ice.
 Do not go onto the ice ever.

4.  Indoor electrocutions
◦ Faulty electrical equipment or careless use of
electrical appliances
◦ Turn off power at circuit breaker, fuse box, or
outside switch box before touching the victim
(make sure it is safe to touch the breaker or box, if
you do not know how to turn it off do not touch it).
 High-voltage power lines
◦ Power must be turned off.
◦ Wait for trained personnel with proper equipment.

5.  Signs of hazardous materials
◦ Signs on vehicle
◦ Spilled liquids or solids
◦ Strong, unusual odors
◦ Clouds of vapor
 Stay away and upwind.
 Wait for trained personnel to arrive.

6.  Park in a safe area and call 9-1-1.
 Turn on emergency hazard flashers. Raise
hood of vehicle.
 Make sure scene is safe.
 Turn off ignitions of all involved vehicles.
 Place flares or reflectors.
 If you suspect spinal injuries, stabilize head
and neck and do not move the patient
unless the scene is life threatening, ie
vehicle is on fire.
 Check and care for life-threatening injuries
first.

7.  Get all people out of the area quickly.
 Call 9-1-1.
 Use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small.
 To use a fire extinguisher, aim directly at the
base of the flames and sweep across. Only
use an extinguisher rated for that type of fire.
 If fire starts to spread leave the area
immediately.

8.  Class A extinguishers are for ordinary
combustible materials such as paper, wood,
cardboard, and most plastics.
 Class B extinguishers are for flammable or
combustible liquids such as gasoline,
kerosene, grease and oil.
 Class D fire extinguishers are commonly
found in a chemical laboratory. They are for
fires that involve combustible metals.

9.  Class C extinguishers are electrical
equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit
breakers and outlets. Never use water to
extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical
shock is far too great!
 Class K extinguishers are for grease fires.
 Most common extinguishers is a combination
ABC extinguisher.

10.  Any area not intended for human
occupancy
 Dangerous atmosphere (low
oxygen levels) or other dangerous
gases
 Requires special training and
equipment to perform rescue.

11.  For confined space emergencies
◦ Call 9-1-1.
◦ Only enter if you have proper training and
equipment.
◦ Check motionless victims first.
◦ Once victim is removed, provide care.

12.  Classify into care and transportation
priorities.
 This helps determine who gets the
quickest treatment when there are
multiple victims.
 There are 4 color coded
transportation/treatment categories.
 Each company may have different
protocols and triage equipment but the
colors and categories should be the
same across the board.

13. Triage Category Typical injuries
Airway/Breathing
RED Uncontrolled/Severe Bleeding
Severe burns
Signs of Shock
Open chest/abdominal wounds
Burns with no airway problems
YELLOW Major/multiple bone or joint injuries
Back injuries with or without spinal
cord injuries
Minor fractures
GREEN Minor soft tissue injuries
Obvious Death
BLACK Obvious nonsurvivable injury
Respiratory Arrest
Cardiac Arrest

14.  Only move victim if there is immediate
danger.
◦ Fire
◦ Hazardous materials
◦ Impossible to protect from hazards such as
uncontrolled traffic, unstable surroundings, weather
conditions, etc.
◦ Impossible to access other victims who need
lifesaving care
◦ If need to perform CPR and patient is face down
 Protect victim’s spine.
 Drag in direction of the long axis of the body.

15.  Drags
◦ Shoulder drag
◦ Ankle drag
◦ Blanket pull

16.  One-person moves
◦ Human crutch
◦ Cradle carry
◦ Fire fighter’s carry
◦ Pack-strap carry
◦ Piggyback carry

17.  Two-person or
three-person moves
◦ Two-person assist
◦ Two-handed seat
carry
◦ Extremity carry

18.  All injured parts should be stabilized before
moving.
 This would include full spinal immobilization
with a backboard, head blocks, and straps.

19.  Thygerson, A., Thygerson, S., Gulli, B., &
Piazza, G. (2011).Standard, first aid, cpr,
and aed. (6th ed.). Sudburt: Jones &
Bartlett Publishers.