UP NARROW STAIRS - 2 MAN

Try to prevent the firefighter from coming out of his coat.

Top man:

Keep feet parallel to the staircase. Move up one stair at a time.
Do not cross over your feet as you ascend the stairs as this can cause you to fall or trip.
If feet are perpendicular or facing in as if to climb the stairs the victim or their bottle will strike the top rescuer in the back of the leg, causing him to fall.

Bottom man:

Take as much weight as given by the top man. If the bottom man drives or pushes too hard it will force the victim into the legs of the top rescuer causing him to fall to the side.

Become comfortable with not using the hand rail or banister. In an actual rescue operation the railing may not be there. Don’t become dependent on them.

Drag victim to the bottom of the stairs:

Place in a sitting position with tank against the bottom treads.
Top rescuer moves up approximately 2 or 3 treads.
Top rescuer reaches down and grabs the SCBA straps at the top of the tank.
The bottom rescuer stands between the victims’ legs and grasps them below the knees in a wheelbarrow type of lift.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY!!
Use the Ready/ready/go to coordinate movement.

Move victim up to the third tread.

The top rescuer:

Holds the victim in this position while the bottom rescuer repositions.
Take a big overhand grip on the victims’ harness.
Prepare for the BIG move up the stairs.

The bottom rescuer:

Drop down as low as possible between the victims’ legs. The force of the bottom lift needs to be as far down into the thigh as possible. This prevents the victim from sliding down during the lift and bumping the SCBA bottle on the stair treads making the movement harder.
Place one of the victims’ legs over each shoulder.
Reach around legs and tighten the victims’ shoulder straps as tight as possible.
Grab the victims’ hands and hold them onto their chest.

Ready/ready/go. Upon command the rescuers lift and move slowly up the stairs.

Submitted by mkirby on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 22:47.

»