The simple and labor-saving method of carrying with a flat webbing
In cases where the injured person has not suffered spinal injuries but is unable to move on their own—such as severe ankle sprains, metatarsal fractures, or high-altitude pulmonary edema that prevents walking—using a flat webbing to carry the patient is a highly efficient and practical method. The flat webbing carry is very simple and labor-saving; carrying the injured person is like carrying a largebackpackin general, without requiring excessive effort. This method of carrying frees up both hands to use trekking poles, reducing the strain on the knees, and also allows for hand assistance when navigating difficult terrain. Most importantly, this technique can be used on standard single-person-width trails and is less affected by trail width.
Easily prepare your gear
Equipment requirements: The required gear is a 6-meter-long, one-inch-wide flexible flat webbing. One inch is currently the widest type of flat webbing, allowing the injured person’s weight to be distributed over the largest possible contact area on the carrier, making the carrying process as comfortable as possible. Six meters is the standard length for an individual flat webbing, and this length is also very suitable for carrying. A flexible flat webbing, compared to a stiffer one, offers greater comfort for both the carrier and the person being carried.
Manpower requirements: Ideally, there should be six or more carriers who can take turns, but if manpower is limited, a minimum of three carriers is required.
Techniques for easy carrying
The person being carried should relax their body as much as possible: This allows the carrier to transport them with minimal effort. Any movement by the injured person adds extra burden to the carrier; more importantly, movement can cause the carrier to lose balance. In other words, in a carrying situation, there should be only one guiding will—that of the carrier.
The center of gravity of the person being carried must be correctly positioned: The injured person’s hips must be positioned above the carrier’s waist. Just like carrying a large backpack, if the center of gravity is too low, the carrier may feel as though they are being pulled backward. This can lead to extreme fatigue, making long-distance carries unsustainable. On the other hand, if the center of gravity is too high, there may be swaying from side to side and instability. The positioning of the injured person’s body center of gravity is crucial to the success of the carry and must be carefully managed.
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