Comments on: How to Perform the Fireman’s Carry

By: larry hensley

larry hensley — Fri, 31 May 2013 10:50:17 +0000

I am retired 27 years army,was a senior drill sergeant,graduated from class 13,in 1966,ihave taught over estimated 10,000 soldiers at fort polk from 1966 t0 1969.yes, I knew the firemans carry–it was a mandatory for all basic trainees to learn and yes it works and serves well. signed by now retired first seargent larry c Hensley, retired usa. so you just drive on and do it with great pride.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:47:50 +0000

I agree with Lt. Chris on all points except on 1 where he says keep their knees bent. You should keep their legs straight. This will stop them from flopping to the ground and get them much higher up over your shoulder on the pull. I have used this as a firefighter for over 20 years and carried patients down ladders in this position with no problem. I also used it in the USMC for 6 years.

By: Lt. Chris

Lt. Chris — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:38:58 +0000

The way the British army taught me to do the lift was incredibly simple and much easier then hauling someone up by the armpits. Quicker too and easier when carrying a load of gear and the dead chap’s rifle as well.
1. Get them on their back, and bend their knees with their feet flat on the floor (legs like arches.) If you position them properly their legs should stay like this even if they’re all floppy.
2. Move their hands to within arms reach of you if you stand at their feet.
3. Stand ON their feet and take hold of their hands/wrists.
4. Pull and rock backwards, using your weight to pull them upright.
5. In one motion pull them upright and drop your shoulder making sure you bend at the knees, your shoulder should hit their stomach so that they bend in the middle over it just under their own weight and you can stand straight up remembering to hold in to one of their limp arms as it shows in the diagrams above.

The final two steps of this lesson in my case were:
6. Run like hell away from whatever’s just killed your erstwhile friend.
7. As in the end of every good British military lesson: Back home for tea and medals.

But using this in most situations it would be a much better idea to walk steadily and calmly to where you’re going, usually away from a hazard.

To be honest, I find this the only easy way to get a dead’un over your shoulder, hauling them up is difficult.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:33:50 +0000

On the poster, it looks like the boy’s arm is between the legs but in the diagram that shows you how to carry, it looks like the right arm is around both of the legs… which one is correct?

By: matthew

matthew — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:26:37 +0000

This is how I carry my girls to bed. They laugh the whole way. I hope they never stop asking.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:39:54 +0000

Brother great article and charlie fantastic ad brother

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:42:25 +0000

Wow. Charlie that is easily one of the best commercials I have ever seen. I am going to buy a Zippo because of this. Also because I have always wanted a Zippo.

And I will definitely show my brothers how to do this lift… as well as practice it on them.

By: caleb

caleb — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:41:13 +0000

great post! every man should be able to execute this lift in an emergency situation. a while ago when my dad was having some health issues i i figured out (through a little trial and error) that this is pretty much the only way i can carry him without killing my back (he’s 280 lbs, im 165). yah, the initial pick up is a pain, but once he’s up there its not that bad at all. just gotta keep him balanced.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:45:16 +0000

Make sure to lift with your back as indicated in step D of the illustration. Perfect form!

By: Grey

Grey — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:48:42 +0000

The pictoral is an absolutely terrible way to start that lift. It’s about impossible to get someone up that way unless you very strong and even then… you’re working way too hard. (The transfer to the shoulders is correct however.)

I recommend using biomechanics to our advantage. Turn the person over on their back and stand at their shoulders. Pull them away from their feet until their knees lock. Walk the person forward using their now locked legs into a position where they are somewhat standing, then proceed with the rest of the lift. I was able to carry a 240lb guy as a 170lb weakling like this, you just need to just be smart about it.