Preventing Sprains and Strains for Emergency Responders

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Learning Objectives

Emergency calls are never routine. Each one presents a different set of physical challenges and hazards to emergency responders, who are already working against the clock to move critical-care patients. The result: too many emergency responders experience painful sprains and strains from moving patients and heavy objects.

While you cannot predict or control the emergency setting, proper training can help you prevent many injuries. The time to prepare, of course, is before the call. Then, during an emergency your training will take over, allowing you to focus on the critical tasks of the rescue itself.

This CIRMA training and education program explains and reinforces proper lifting and moving techniques. The instructor will illustrate the application of these techniques with a number of real-life scenarios developed from actual rescues.

Topics include:

• Principles of back safety.
• Anatomy of the human back.
• Common causes of back injury in emergency responders.
• Safe lifting, pulling, and pushing techniques.
• How to lift and transport people without injury.
• Moving and lifting patients to stretchers and backboards.
• How to identify your limitations, pacing your efforts.
• Preventive measures—exercises and stretches to tone and strengthen your back.

Audience

This training and education program is designed for:

• Firefighters
• Police
• Emergency responders

"The selfless desire of responders to assist victims as rapidly as possible can be a barrier to [their] safety."

National Institutes for Occupational Safety & Health