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EMS field skills

How to lift and move a patient on a stretcher

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In Making Synapses you practice it on the patient.

EMS (NREMT)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Back injuries are common in EMS. Plan the lift and use your legs.

Step by step

  1. Plan

    Weight, path, people needed, equipment. [1]

  2. Communicate

    One leader, a clear count. [1]

  3. Power lift

    Feet apart, back straight, lift with the legs. [1]

  4. Close and straight

    Keep weight close; turn with your feet, do not twist. [1]

  5. Secure

    All straps including shoulder straps, rails up. [1]

  6. Ask for help

    Lift assist when needed. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in Making Synapses

In Making Synapses you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

Making Synapses cases that train this skill

45 Making Synapses cases train this skill: open the case library

Sources

  1. NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic)
  2. National EMS Education Standards (2021)

Facts and steps follow NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic); National EMS Education Standards (2021). Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.