When should you consider using lifting assistance for a patient?

Using lifting assistance for a patient is essential when the patient is unable to assist or is heavier than you can safely lift. This situation is critical for ensuring both the patient's safety and your own. The use of lifting assistance equipment, such as stretchers, slide sheets, or specialized lifting devices, minimizes the risk of injury to the EMT and provides a safer, more controlled method of moving the patient.

Patients who cannot assist in their own movement may have limited strength, mobility issues, or medical conditions that make them vulnerable during a lift. Additionally, if a patient’s weight exceeds the lifting capacity of an individual EMT, trying to lift them without assistance increases the likelihood of injury. Proper lifting practices and the use of assistance ensure that the movement is done safely and effectively, which is a crucial aspect of patient care in emergency medical situations.