👤 By the CinnaEMS Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-09-27🏷️ EMS Operations🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: body mechanics · power lift · emergency move · rapid extrication · stair chair · stretcher · drag
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Use this quick-reference guide to recognise, treat and hand over Lifting & Moving on the NREMT and on the call. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Power Lift
Feet shoulder-width
Back locked
Weight close
📌 Which Move
Danger → emergency drag
Unstable → rapid extrication
Stable → non-urgent
📌 Team
Lift on a count
Head calls the moves
Know device limits
📚 Lifting & Moving — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what changes the plan, and what to hand over.
Injuries end EMS careers, so the exam checks body mechanics and which move fits the danger. The choice is emergency, urgent or non-urgent, and the rule is to lift with the legs and keep the load close.
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Key points
Understand these first
Power lift: feet shoulder-width, back locked, lift with the legs, weight close to the body.
Emergency move (immediate danger): drag along the long axis of the body.
Urgent move: rapid extrication when the patient's condition requires it.
Non-urgent move: direct carry, extremity lift or draw-sheet transfer.
Know the weight limits of each device; get help for bariatric patients.
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Treatment priorities
What to do, in order
Communicate and lift on a count; the person at the head calls the moves.
Avoid twisting and reaching; move your feet instead.
Use a stair chair on stairs when no spinal injury is suspected.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Fire, explosion risk or traffic — move now
Lifting beyond the team's ability
A patient who cannot be moved safely without more help
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Push rather than pull when possible, and keep the load between the shoulders and hips.
❓ Lifting & Moving: NREMT FAQs
What are the priority actions for Lifting & Moving in the field?
Communicate and lift on a count; the person at the head calls the moves. Avoid twisting and reaching; move your feet instead. Use a stair chair on stairs when no spinal injury is suspected.
What findings in Lifting & Moving change your plan or your transport decision?
Fire, explosion risk or traffic — move now. Lifting beyond the team's ability. A patient who cannot be moved safely without more help.
What do I need to know about Lifting & Moving for the NREMT?
Power lift: feet shoulder-width, back locked, lift with the legs, weight close to the body. Emergency move (immediate danger): drag along the long axis of the body. Urgent move: rapid extrication when the patient's condition requires it. Non-urgent move: direct carry, extremity lift or draw-sheet transfer.
What should the crew communicate or document for Lifting & Moving?
Push rather than pull when possible, and keep the load between the shoulders and hips.
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Quick Tip
Power lift: feet shoulder-width, back locked, lift with the legs, weight close to the body.