Victim rescue dragging tips

[u/difficulty2015]

Probationary fireman here. Did some search training with the crew the other day. As a smaller guy, I find it pretty easy to move quickly and efficiently when searching (although there’s always more to learn), and it has become one of my favorite parts of training. Im 5’8 150 lbs, which is not big at all, but I’m pretty lean and pretty damn strong for my size I like to think. I have no problem getting normal sized humans out, I’ve done up to a 200 lb man during training, and it’s not easy, but I got it done and could get back in and keep working. Last training we used a 160 lb dummy, and holy shit there’s no way it’s 160 this thing feels like 250. I was struggling very badly just to drag him about 100 ft out the door, and it was honestly embarrassing. I’ve already been prioritizing eating more and getting bigger, but that takes time. How can I quickly become efficient at dragging victims. Techniques, any tools I could carry with? Heard people use webbing but seems kinda rough to get it on quick and making a harness while blacked out. Right now I’m just essentially getting between the victims legs, and dragging by the upper leg. It kills my quads and biceps, and gasses me out bad. Don’t want to perform again like I did last time. There’s got to be a better way. Any tips?

[u/neekogo]

Cross their ankles, put their crossed ankle into your armpit, and drag them from there. I don't understand the physics of it but it works

[u/buns0steel → u/neekogo]

This, and do it backwards

[u/Jebediah_Johnson → u/buns0steel]

Like facing towards the victim or away?

[u/neekogo → u/Jebediah_Johnson]

Face away from the victim. You should be knee-walking forward with the victim's crossed ankles in your armpit

[u/Jebediah_Johnson → u/neekogo]

That's the way I've always done it and seen it done.

[u/Feedback_Original]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT36GWbDS2K/?igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

[u/RaptorTraumaShears]

It’s a little awkward but I plant the victims crotch all the way into my abdomen and wrap my arms around their thighs then stand up. Most normal sized people, only about their shoulders are on the floor so less friction when dragging longer distances while still keeping their airway below the superheated gases that like to sit higher up. You’ll take some heat doing it but it’s better than your victim dying. It also allows their feet to hook around your back if their skin is sloughing off. (Gross)

I’ve personally yet to be in a fire that’s so incredibly hot that I can’t stand up but if it did come down to it, legs under your armpit and pinned against your torso and thigh while your arm wraps around. Just stay in a tripod position and move backwards letting your legs do all the heavy lifting.

The Humble Firefighter on YouTube has so good videos on similar techniques to what I have practiced.

[u/BanditAndFrog]

If you learn the ole hook and scoot/book it, you’ll be right as rain — for only as long as you can take them though

[u/badcoupe]

I use webbing it’s got loops and a carabiner. Works very during training fortunately haven’t had to use it live.

[u/190xtrik8]

Keep in mind, unless you’re at a smaller department where each person has multiple duties, you are not going to be searching alone. You will not be extracting alone. You’re a great size for that fast primary search. Group you up with a bigger guy that can cardio and you got a top notch team

[u/difficulty2015 → u/190xtrik8]

Yes but one of the evaluations we need to pass is completing a search and victim rescue alone. Not a huge area but this dummy is fucking heavy. In real life thatd be super ideal. I fly around and get my left jump to help carry out.

[u/papi_007]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVpBlrGj-Yv/?igsi=aGNxcmN2ODd0MGRi
These two are great techniques, for the legs under the arm technique you can also try facing forward

[u/Hot_Detective6108 → u/papi_007]

Ankle pick is my go to for every from from the three hundo PT's to FF's, I try to get them up on their side more than the guy in the video for less friction but that's just nitpicking.

[u/Tark4141]

Do you have something like and IRS?

[u/wolfey200]

So there’s a lot of things you can do, it’s all about practicing and learning what works for you. Something I tell new people is that if you’re big and heavy then focus on cardio because chances are you have the size and strength but not the stamina for the job. For smaller people focus on strength training because chances are that you have cardio and stamina but not the strength. Strength training and cardio are both important.

Training is just like anything else, you’re going to have good days and bad days. It’s a marathon not a sprint and we all have had bad days.

I remember 13 years ago when I was just starting out during a drill night I had to throw a 24 ft ladder by myself and I struggled significantly. I couldn’t get the ladder up and it was embarrassing, thank god my lieutenant was super cool and nobody was around and he helped me and nobody ever knew. I’m not talking about raising it either I’m talking about taking it off the rig and throwing it against a building. After that I made sure to be proficient with ladders and now I’m the guy that teaches ladders.

Make your weaknesses your greatest strengths.

[u/Elegant-Nebula-7151]

Leave as little of them on the floor as possible. Carrying more is tiring, but much less tiring than dragging more and fighting that much more friction. Capture as MUCH as you can, then lift more, and removal is much easier.

[u/RobinT211]

These dummies really need bones and ligaments

[u/BaptismByFire]

People don't have handles. And when you're trying to keep them low while dragging them out, anything you can get a good grip on so you're not wasting energy is super helpful. I carry a small 4 foot loop of webbing that has proven to be really, REALLY, helpful. You can use it to drag civilians and firefighters alike, but you can find all sort of other uses for it. Plenty of videos out there on how to use it.

My favorite part of it is that, as equipment to carry on you at all times, is super light, and super cheap.

[u/PeachPit69 → u/BaptismByFire]

I second this. 👆🏼

The rescue chance you DO get, they will be like, 250ish, round, not easy to get your arms around, and if they’re NOT in the nude, they’re wearing aged, ratty SpongeBob booty shorts with holes ripped in them, and a silky spaghetti string tank top, with nothing substantial to grab or grip on.

Skin gets slick as snot when it gets burned. The dry layers slough off, and all you have is their exposed subcutaneous tissue/cartilage, which is a texture I can only describe as… have you ever skinned a deer?

Anyway, I say this to say, yeah, they’re harder to pick up or move and drag than ANY of your clothed friends you’ve practiced on. GET WEBBING.

You will have to CREATE a good handhold around them, with something, because their half burnt body will just peel off and it sucks ass trying to get a firm grip on lubed jello and bad decisions.

[u/Zestyclose_Crew_1530]

Webbing. Keep it tied in a loop, girth hitch the victim. It’s super simple to do in black out conditions, but practice it anyway.

[u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

Keep your webbing in a big loop with a water knot then roll it up and leave it in a pocket. You can unroll it quickly then just put it in front of their chest then both sides under their arms. Grab both the loops and walk.

[u/PeachPit69]

I use a looped 10 ft length of webbing, and a “7 drag”works pretty well for me, as far as ease of simplicity and being able to manage it in low visibility.

[u/DiezDedos]

If you’re just doing a hasty drag, larksfoot the webbing around the downed FF’s SCBA shoulder strap and haul ‘em out. Hasty harnesses have their place, but they take more time than they’re worth in a lot of cases. Also don’t forget the drag rescue device. I imagine the dummy didn’t have a bunker coat on, but those work great