A simple way to carry an injured patient

First Aid

Jun 24

This tip is from the excellent MedWild YouTube channel. Recommended!

If you have to deal with a minor injury in the backcountry, the patient may need to be carried out. If there’s at least two people to share the load and some basic equipment, here is a quick and easy way to rig a carry.

You need:

at least 2 rescuers
2 backpacks
trekking poles, raft paddles, sturdy stick (or similar item)
padding (sleeping pad)

Note: this is for someone with minor injuries, such as a sprained ankle, twisted knee, altitude illness, dehydration, etc.

Here’s a screen grab from the video to give you a quick idea of how it works. Rescuers are wearing backpacks, sticks/poles/raft paddles go on top of the pack waist belts, patient sits on those between the rescuers.