Body Mechanics

 When lifting a person it's good to know about body mechanics. 

1. Know where you are going. If you lift a person up using mobility equipment it is good to know where you are bringing or moving the person. This makes it easy to move the person without a struggle.

If you are moving the person to the kitchen make sure the path is clean. Be sure to move any objects, like garbage cans or other objects out of the way so you do not trip or hurt yourself on the way to the kitchen. The doors should be open. 

The same if you are moving a person to the bathroom. Make sure the path is clean. Make sure there are no tripping hazards like chords or other objects on the floor. 

2. Wear non-slip shoes. Non-slip shoes are shoes that prevent a person from slipping. When lifting a person it is good to wear shoes that grip the ground firmly. This prevents a person from slipping when transferring a person from one place to another. 

3. Bend at your knees. It is important to bend at your knees to prevent back injuries. When lifting a heavy object or person bending at the knees is the best way to do it. Do not bend at the waist. Bending at the waist when lifting can hurt the back and cause injuries. 

This person is squatting. When a person squats they bend at the knees. This is the best way to pick up or lift something or someone heavy. 

4. Do not pull on the person's arms.