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A simple way to carry an injured patient

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.

image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMeqn3P3WGc


Check out the short (4:16) video for the method.