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12 Essential Ways To Carry Someone: From Emergency Rescue To Romantic Lifts

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Knowing how to carry someone is a vital skill that transcends basic first aid, ranging from rapid evacuation in a disaster to simply moving an incapacitated friend. As of December 26, 2025, modern rescue protocols prioritize the victim's stability and the rescuer's safety, meaning many classic techniques have been updated or even replaced by safer alternatives like the Pack Strap Carry and specialized drag methods. This guide breaks down the most effective, up-to-date, and situation-specific methods you need to know.

The choice of carry depends entirely on the scenario: is the person conscious? Are they injured? Is the environment hostile? Understanding these variables is the first step in becoming a competent rescuer, as using the wrong technique—especially on a victim with a suspected spinal injury—can lead to catastrophic, permanent paralysis. Always assess the situation before attempting any lift or drag to ensure the best outcome for all involved.

The Critical Safety First: When NOT to Carry Someone

The single most important update in modern emergency response is the protocol for suspected head, neck, or spinal injuries. The old adage of "move them quickly" has been replaced by a more cautious, evidence-based approach.

Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR)

If you suspect a head, neck, or back injury, do not move the person unless they are in immediate, life-threatening danger (e.g., a burning building, submerged in water). Moving them can shift a fractured vertebra, causing irreversible damage, including permanent paralysis.

  • Latest Protocol: Focus on Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR). This means holding the person's head and neck steady in the position you found them, minimizing all movement, and waiting for trained medical personnel.
  • Immediate Danger Exception: Only use a rapid extraction technique like the Ankle Drag or Clothes Drag if the person's life is in immediate danger from the environment.

Essential One-Rescuer Techniques for Rapid Evacuation

These methods are designed for a single rescuer to move a victim quickly over short distances, often in high-risk environments where speed is paramount. The victim's weight and the rescuer's strength are primary limiting factors.

1. The Firefighter's Carry (Fireman's Lift)

Once a staple of emergency response, the Firefighter's Carry is now less common in modern firefighting due to the risk of aggravating injuries and the difficulty of the lift. However, it remains highly effective for a conscious or unconscious victim who needs to be carried for a considerable distance, as the weight is balanced across the rescuer's shoulders.

  • Best For: Longer distance carry; unconscious but non-spinal-injured victims.
  • Technique Note: Requires significant strength and proper technique to execute the initial lift to the shoulder.

2. The Pack Strap Carry

Often preferred over the Firefighter's Carry when a victim's injuries make the latter unsafe, the Pack Strap Carry is excellent for moving a victim over longer distances. It distributes the weight similarly to a backpack.

  • Best For: Conscious victims; longer distances; when the Firefighter's Carry is too difficult or risky.
  • Technique Note: The victim's arms are crossed over the rescuer's chest, and the rescuer holds the victim's wrists. An unconscious victim requires a second person to position them correctly.

3. The Emergency Drag Carries

Drags are generally safer for the victim than lifting, as they keep the victim lower to the ground, reducing the risk of a fall and minimizing the weight the rescuer must bear.

  • Clothes Drag: Grabbing the victim's shirt or collar behind the neck. This technique provides some support for the head and neck, making it the preferred drag for slightly more stability.
  • Ankle Drag: The fastest, most basic drag. Used only for immediate danger extraction, as it offers no head/neck support.
  • Blanket Drag: The most comfortable and safest drag. The victim is rolled onto a blanket, sheet, or towel and pulled to safety. This is the easiest and most comfortable option, especially for a heavier person.

Two-Person Carries: Efficiency and Stability for Longer Distances

When two rescuers are available, they can share the weight, provide greater stability, and carry the victim for much longer distances without fatigue. This is the most safe and efficient way to transport a victim.

4. The Two-Handed Seat Carry (Fore-and-Aft Carry)

This method creates a secure seat for the victim using the rescuers' arms and is ideal for conscious victims who are too weak to walk but do not have a spinal injury.

  • Best For: Conscious, non-spinal-injured victims; transporting over moderate to long distances.
  • Technique: Rescuers face each other, squat down on either side of the victim, and link their arms under the victim’s thighs to form a seat. The victim places their arms around the rescuers' shoulders for stability.

5. The Extremity Carry (Two-Person Carry)

Also known as the Two-Person Carry, this technique uses one rescuer to lift the victim's arms and another to lift their legs (extremities). It is a quick lift for moving a victim from a tight space or onto a stretcher.

  • Best For: Unconscious victims; short distances; lifting a victim into a chair or stretcher.
  • Technique: The 'arm' rescuer slides their hands under the victim's armpits and grasps the victim's wrists. The 'leg' rescuer grasps the victim's legs under the knees. Both stand up simultaneously.

6. The Chair Carry

If a sturdy chair is available, it can be used as an impromptu stretcher. This is particularly useful in narrow hallways, up or down stairs, or over uneven terrain where a stretcher would be difficult to maneuver.

  • Best For: Narrow spaces; stairs; conscious or semi-conscious victims.
  • Technique: The victim is seated in the chair. One rescuer holds the back of the chair, and the other holds the front legs.

Beyond Emergency: Non-Traumatic and Everyday Lifts

Not every carry involves a life-or-death situation. Many lifts are used for simple, non-traumatic transport, such as moving a tired child or performing a celebratory lift.

7. The Classic Bridal Carry

The quintessential romantic lift, the Classic Bridal Carry is a simple, effective way to carry a person over a short distance, such as across a threshold.

  • Best For: Conscious victims; short, non-emergency distances; ceremonial purposes.
  • Technique: The lifter places one arm under the victim's knees and the other arm behind their back/shoulders, lifting with the legs, not the back.

8. The Piggyback Ride

The most common method for carrying a conscious, non-injured person who is simply too tired to walk. It is a stable and comfortable position for the person being carried.

  • Best For: Conscious children or adults; moderate distances; when the victim can assist by holding on.
  • Technique: The victim wraps their legs around the rescuer’s waist and their arms around the rescuer’s neck/shoulders. The rescuer supports the victim’s thighs.

9. The Cradle Carry (Princess Carry)

Similar to the Bridal Carry but often used for infants or small children. When used for adults, it's a more endearing or 'princess' style lift, involving carrying the person entirely in the arms, close to the chest.

  • Best For: Small children; very short distances; a more intimate or affectionate carry.
  • Technique: The person is held horizontally across the chest, with the lifter supporting the head and the legs.

Mastering these different carry and drag techniques is a crucial component of first aid and personal preparedness. Always remember that the primary goal is the safety of both the victim and the rescuer. Prioritize Spinal Motion Restriction in any suspected trauma case, and choose the carry that minimizes further injury while maximizing efficiency for the scenario at hand.

12 Essential Ways to Carry Someone: From Emergency Rescue to Romantic Lifts
different ways to carry someone
different ways to carry someone

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