1. Select an appropriate carry.

WARNING

DO NOT USE MANUAL CARRIES TO MOVE A CASUALTY WITH A NECK OR SPINE INJURY UNLESS A LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD IS IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

a. Fireman's carry is usually used with an unconscious or severely injured casualty.


b. Support carry is used for casualties who are able to walk or at least hop on one leg.


c. Arms carry may be used for a casualty who is not able to walk. It is used for short distances only.


d. Saddleback carry may be used for a conscious casualty only.


e. Pack-strap carry is useful for carrying a casualty moderate distances.


f. Pistol-belt carry is the best one-man carry for long distances. The hands of the casualty and bearer are free.


g. Pistol-belt drag is useful in combat. It is usually used for short distances.


h. Neck drag is useful in combat. It cannot be used if the casualty has a broken arm or suspected neck injury. It is usually used for short distances.


i. Cradle drop drag is useful for moving a casualty who cannot walk when he or she must be moved up or down stairs.

2. Perform the carry.

a. Fireman's carry.





(1) Kneel at the casualty's uninjured side.


(2) Place the casualty's arms above his or her head.


(3) Cross the ankle of the injured side over the opposite ankle.


(4) Place one of your hands on the shoulder farther from you and your other hand on the casualty's hip or thigh.


(5) Roll the casualty toward you onto his or her abdomen.


(6) Straddle the casualty.


(7) Place your hands under the casualty's chest, locking them together.


(8) Lift the casualty to his or her knees as you move backward.


(9) Continue to move backward, thus straightening the casualty's legs and locking the knees.


(10) Walk forward, bringing the casualty to a standing position but tilted slightly backward to prevent the knees from buckling.


(11) Maintaining constant support of the casualty with one arm, free your other arm, quickly grasp his or her wrist, and raise the arm high.


(12) Instantly pass your head under the casualty's raised arm, releasing it as you pass under it.


(13) Move swiftly to face the casualty.


(14) Secure your arms around his or her waist.


(15) Immediately place your foot between the casualty's feet, spreading them approximately 6 to 8 inches apart.


(16) Again grasp the casualty's wrist and raise the arm high above your head.


(17) Bend down and pull the casualty's arm over and down your shoulder, bringing his or her body across your shoulders. At the same time, pass your arm between the casualty's legs.


(18) Grasp the casualty's wrist with one hand while placing your other hand on your knee for support.


(19) Rise with the casualty correctly positioned across your shoulders.





NOTE: Your other hand is free for use as needed.





b. Support carry.





(1) Raise the casualty to a standing position as in the fireman's carry, steps 2a(1) through 2a(10).


(2) Grasp the casualty's wrist and draw his or her arm around your neck.


(3) Place your other arm around the casualty's waist.





NOTE: The casualty is able to walk, using you as a crutch.





c. Arms carry.





(1) Raise the casualty to a standing position as in the fireman's carry, steps 2a(1) through 2a(10).


(2) Place one arm under the casualty's knees.


(3) Place your other arm around the casualty's back.


(4) Lift the casualty, carrying him or her high to lessen fatigue.





d. Saddleback carry.





(1) Raise the casualty to a standing position as in the fireman's carry, steps 2a(1) through 2a(10).


(2) Support the casualty by placing an arm around his or her waist.


(3) Move in front of the casualty with your back to him or her.


(4) Have the casualty encircle your neck with his or her arms.


(5) As you stoop, raise the casualty upon your back.


(6) Clasp your hands together beneath the casualty's thighs, if possible.





e. Pack-strap carry.





(1) Raise the casualty to a standing position as in the fireman's carry, steps 2a(1) through 2a(10).


(2) Supporting the casualty with your arms around him or her, grasp the wrist closer to you.


(3) Place the casualty's arm over your head and across your shoulder, ensuring that the casualty's hand is in a palm-down position.


(4) Move in front of the casualty while supporting his or her weight against your back.


(5) Grasp the other wrist.


(6) Place this arm over your other shoulder, ensuring that the casualty's hand is in a palm-down position.


(7) As you bend forward, hoist the casualty as high on your back as possible so that all of his or her weight is resting on your back.





f. Pistol-belt carry.





(1) Link two pistol belts (or three, if necessary) together to form a sling.





NOTE: If pistol belts are not available, you can use other items, such as one rifle sling, two cravat bandages, two litter straps, or any suitable material which will not cut or bind the casualty.


(2) Place the sling under the casualty's thighs and lower back so that a loop extends from each side.


(3) Lie face up between the casualty's outstretched legs.


(4) Thrust your arms through the loops.


(5) Grasp the hand and trouser leg on the casualty's injured side.


(6) Roll toward the casualty's uninjured side onto your abdomen, bringing him or her onto your back.


(7) Adjust the sling as necessary.


(8) Rise to a kneeling position with the belt holding the casualty in place.


(9) While placing one hand on your knee for support, rise to an upright position with the casualty supported on your shoulders.


(10) Carry the casualty with your hands free for use in firing your rifle, climbing banks, or surmounting obstacles.





g. Pistol-belt drag.





(1) Extend two pistol belts (or three, if necessary) or similar objects to their full length and join them together to make one loop.


(2) Roll the casualty onto his or her back.


(3) Pass the loop over the casualty's head, positioning it across his or her chest and under the armpits.


(4) Cross the remaining portion of the loop, forming a figure eight.





NOTE: Keep tension on the belts so they do not become unhooked.


(5) Lie on your side, facing the casualty and resting on your elbow.


(6) Slip the loop over the arm and shoulder that you are leaning on.


(7) Turn away from the casualty onto your abdomen so that you can drag the casualty as you crawl.





h. Neck drag.





WARNING

DO NOT USE THE NECK DRAG IF THE CASUALTY HAS A FRACTURED ARM. IF THE CASUALTY IS UNCONSCIOUS, PROTECT HIS OR HER HEAD FROM THE GROUND.







(1) Tie the casualty's hands together at the wrists. (If the casualty is conscious, he or she may clasp his or her hands together around your neck.)


(2) Straddle the casualty in a kneeling face-to-face position.


(3) Loop the casualty's tied hands over and/or around your neck.


(4) Crawl forward, looking ahead, dragging the casualty with you.





i. Cradle drop drag.





(1) With the casualty lying on his or her back, kneel at his or her head.


(2) Slide your hands, palms up, under the casualty's shoulders.


(3) Get a firm hold under the casualty's armpits.


(4) Partially rise, supporting the casualty's head on one of your forearms.





NOTE: You may bring your elbows together and let the casualty's head rest on both of your forearms.


(5) With the casualty in a semi-sitting position, rise and drag the casualty backwards.


(6) Back down or up the steps, as appropriate, supporting the casualty's head and body and letting the hips and legs drop from step to step.

Brief Soldier:
Tell the soldier that the casualty has been given first aid. Describe a situation in terms of the casualty's injuries, whether the casualty is conscious or unconscious, whether enemy fire can be expected or not, and what distance (short, moderate, or long) the casualty must be moved. Tell the soldier to transport the casualty using an appropriate carry.

NOTE: Do not make the situation too complex and remember, when scoring the soldier, that two or more of the carries might be appropriate for the situation. The most important thing is that the selected carry should not cause further injury to the casualty and should not endanger the lives of the two soldiers.