Fireman's carry
A fireman's carry or fireman's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.[1]
The technique was commonly used by firefighters to carry injured or unconscious people away from danger, but has been replaced in firefighting due to the drawback that smoke and heat are greater higher up, and may be fatal to the person being carried.
The "fireman's carry" technique is still taught for use outside of firefighting. Soldiers use this technique to carry wounded comrades.[1] Lifeguards are sometimes trained to use the fireman's carry.
Many professional wrestling moves such as Death Valley driver, Samoan drop, F-5 and others include this technique.
The "fireman's carry" was once used by Judo founder Kanō Jigorō as an unexpected method to defeat a tough opponent. Its success inspired the creation of the Judo technique known as kata guruma.
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[edit] Advantages
Carrying someone in this manner has several advantages over other methods of moving another person. The subject's torso is fairly level, which helps prevent further injuries. When the subject's weight is evenly distributed over both shoulders, it is easier to carry them for a longer distance - 50 feet or more.
The fireman's carry is preferred over a single-shoulder carry if someone is seriously hurt or if the person must be carried for a considerable amount of time. A person being carried over one shoulder would experience more jarring as his or her body is dangling more freely over the carrier's shoulder. Also, blood would be unevenly distributed if someone was dangling upside-down over the carrier's shoulder for an extended period of time. This could also be a very uncomfortable position for the carried person if he or she is still conscious.
[edit] Disadvantages
In firefighting, smoke and heat are greater higher up, and may be fatal to the person being carried.
[edit] Current practice in firefighting
Currently, the technique preferred in firefighting involves dragging a person by the shoulders or upper clothing in a supine position across the floor or ground. This uses the rescuer's upper legs (the strongest muscles in the body) to push against the floor for leverage in order to pull the person towards an exit. This technique is also easier for rescuers who may be younger or of smaller size or stature. In addition, dragging, especially feet first, helps avoid stressing a potentially injured spine.
[edit] References
- ^ a b United States Army. The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills. Chapter 3: Combat Casualty Care and Preventive Medicine. < https://rdl.train.army.mil/soldierPortal/atia/adlsc/view/public/24572-1/FM/3-21.75/chap3.htm#_Toc179269683 >. Accessed June 12, 2010.
