 One Person Carries...
There are
two basic methods for one person to carry a nonambulatory individual...
Packstrap
- Scoot the person to the front of the chair. With your
back to the person, squat or kneel as close as possible. Grab the individual's
arms with your hands, and place around your shoulders. Keeping your back
straight, push up with your legs, assisting the person to stand. Use furniture
or, at the stairs, the handrail to help keep your balance.
- The packstrap technique restricts the breathing of the
person being carried and may precipitate leg spasms. Keep moving.
Piggy-Back
- Scoot the person to the front of the chair, keeping him/her
in a sitting position. Stay close, with your back to the person, placing
his/her hands around your shoulders.
- Wrap each of your arms around the person's legs. Your
elbows should tuck under the thighs, with your wrists and hands at the
knees.
- Stand slowly, using good body mechanics.
- The piggy-back technique causes less restriction of breathing.
Lifting a person for the piggy-back may be easier at the top of a flight
of stairs, where you can use the handrail for support.
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