Litter Bearer Training
OSHA Training Institute – Region IX
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Extension
OSHA Training Institute 1
Objectives
To describe the basics of litter preparation,
deployment and carries.
Discuss commands used to move litters
Discuss the loading procedures for litters
OSHA Training Institute 2
Prepare the Litter
Open the litter
Lock the spreader bars (one at each
end of litter). Use your foot, to avoid
getting your fingers or hand pinched.
OSHA Training Institute 3
2-Person Carry
For short carries around a tent, or between
tents, or around a tight corner or obstacle
Only up to 15-30 seconds
Anything longer: 4 person Carry
OSHA Training Institute 4
4-Person Carry
Place casualty on litter
Secure patient to litter with litter straps
Designate a litter team leader
Litter team leader should be at patient’s
Right shoulder, which is best for
monitoring patient’s condition. Patient
usually moved feet first.
Leader is in charge of making sure all
work and move in unison
OSHA Training Institute 5
4-Person Carry
OSHA Training Institute 6
Commands
“Prepare to Lift”
“LIFT”
“4-man carry, MOVE”
“Lower, LITTER”
OSHA Training Institute 7
Litter Post Carry
Use over rough terrain, to steady the litter
Also used to rotate a litter, such as going
from downhill to uphill carry.
To change direction of movement, begin in
litter post position. Front & back bearers
release the litter, the middle bearers rotate
the litter and themselves.
OSHA Training Institute 8
OSHA Training Institute 9
Uphill & Downhill carries
Forstairs or hills
Move feet first when going downhill.
Especially important for head injuries.
When going up hill, move patient
head first, in direction of travel.
OSHA Training Institute 10
OSHA Training Institute 11
Vehicle Loading
Always follow instructions of driver
Usually load casualties head first
Load most seriously injured last
Make sure litter straps are on
Unload casualties in reverse order from
loading, most seriously injured is unloaded
first.
OSHA Training Institute 12
Summary
There are standardized litter deployment
and carries.
Follow standardized commands when
moving litters
Follow loading procedures for litters given
by the loadmaster or driver
OSHA Training Institute 13