The direct carry is used to transfer a patient:
a. With multiple long bone injuries
b. From a bed to the ambulance stretcher
c. Who cannot be placed on a backboard
d. With a possible cervical spine injury
Answer: b. From a bed to the ambulance stretcher
The cut-carry method is a process executed by emergency medical service providers, which involves transferring a patient from a flat surface (e.g. when the bed is located in a home or inside the ambulance) to another flat surface (e.g. from the bed to the ambulance stretcher or vice versa). Also known as basic traumatic care, this technique is implemented when the patient’s heart and breathing stand to be stable; he/she does not have any known spinal injuries and thus does not require the use of a backboard or any other immobilization devices, as he/she is stable.
While doing a direct carry, the patient is transported by several rescuers and special attention is paid to the fact that there is no twisting or turning involved to make sure that the patient’s body will be straight and aligned throughout the whole transfer process. Accordingly, this approach restricts superfluous movements that may result in additional injury or discomfort to no more than that what is necessary.
Thus, the direct carry, is a perfect and time saving tool to place stable patients between ground level objects like from bed to stretcher without any additional apparatus or intricacies.