Evacuation Techniques

Victim evacuation at times becomes necessary when a person is rendered immobile through injury or illness and must be moved to a safe location during any number of disaster situations. When applying evacuation techniques, the rescuer is to be as gentle as possible. Techniques should be the least harmful to the rescuer and victim as possible.

Carry

• When the rescuer carries a victim, he takes the victim in both arms and carries her out. The rescuer holds the victim under the knees and around the back and drapes victim's arm around his neck. For victims with leg or knee injuries, this might not be the best technique.

The Backpack

• In the backpack evacuation technique, both of the victim's arms are draped around the neck of the rescuer like backpack straps with the victim's arms crossed. The rescuer grabs hold of the victim's wrists. In this position, a rescuer pulls the victim's arms as close to his chest as possible. The rescuer squats slightly to relieve back pressure. The body weight of the victim is balanced with the hips and supported with the legs of the rescuer.

Two Better Than One

• At times, it is more beneficial and safer for two people to help with evacuation of a victim. A first rescuer squats at the victim's head and grabs the victim at the mid-section. A second rescuer squats between the victim's knees and grabs onto the victim at the outside of the knees. Rescuers rise together and proceed to carry the victim to safety.