Body Mechanics & Fitness
The efficient use of the body to gain mechanical advantage and minimize injury.
What is body mechanics?
Action that EMTs should choose over pulling whenever moving heavy loads.
What is pushing?
Category of patient move executed when there is immediate scene danger or a need to reach other critical patients.
What is an emergency move?
Preferred transport device that must never be left unattended with a patient secured on it.
What is a wheeled stretcher?
Recommended baseline position for patients in shock.
What is supine?
Postural flaw commonly known as swayback.
What is lordosis?
Lifting technique where feet are shoulder-width apart, knees are bent, back is straight, and force is driven through the heels and arches.
What is the power lift?
Name two specific emergency drag techniques used to pull patients out of immediate danger.
What are the armpit-forearm drag, shirt drag, or blanket drag?
Maximum weight capacity that a specialized bariatric stretcher is designed to hold.
What is 1,600 lbs?
Ideal position for an unresponsive patient who has no suspected spinal trauma.
What is the left lateral recumbent (recovery) position?
Postural flaw characterized by a slouching upper back.
What is kyphosis?
Maximum distance in inches an EMT should extend their arms in front of their body when reaching.
What is 15 to 20 inches?
Category of move required when a patient suffers life-threatening conditions demanding rapid extrication and transport.
What is an urgent move?
Enclosure device used specifically for newborn transport that must be secured inside the ambulance.
What is a neonatal isolette?
Preferred position for a patient presenting with chest pain or breathing difficulty.
What is the position of comfort (usually sitting)?
Three lower-body muscle groups that should carry the primary weight during a lift, paired with contracted abdominal muscles.
What are the leg, hip, and gluteal muscles?
Specific grip technique where the thumbs and fingers are fully wrapped around the handle or object being lifted.
What is the power grip?
Category of patient move used when no immediate environmental or physiological threats exist.
What is a nonurgent move?
Position where the stronger rescuer should be placed during a two-person carry.
What is at the head of the stretcher?
Recommended positioning for a pregnant patient greater than 20 weeks gestation to avoid hypotensive syndrome.
What is lying on her left side?
Alignment technique where the rescuer lines up three specific body areas vertically to maintain stability and prevent injury.
What is "stacking" the shoulders, hips, and feet?
Alternative lift used for rescuers with weak legs or ankles, where the weaker leg is placed forward and the stronger leg drives upward.
What is the squat lift?
Name three distinct nonurgent lifting or carrying techniques used under standard conditions.
What are the direct ground lift, extremity lift, direct carry, or draw sheet method?
Proper directional orientation for carrying a patient on stairs going down versus going up.
What is feet first going down and head first going up?
Important adjustment recommended when securing pediatric patients in car seats or packaging elderly patients onto stretchers.
What is padding voids (using towels for support)?