Tips from someone on search and rescue-
Wear gloves, or you will end up with huge blisters on your hands. Make sure they don't allow your grip to slip. Also, some gloves have seams that actually aggravate the situation more and you'd be better off bare-handed. If they're available to you, I've found that rock-climbing gloves and deerskin gloves work well.
While you're carrying, lean out. Your legs and feet should be almost under the litter and your torso should be angled away. The person carrying across from you should be about your height, if possible. Play "tug of war" with the litter with each other. These tricks help balance the weight out to everyone and lighten the load.
If you begin to fall, let go of the litter immediately and yell "falling". DO NOT hold on to the litter, you'll bring the patient down with you and may aggravate their injuries or cause new ones.
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If your family hikes often, take pictures of the soles of everyone's boots - both left and right. Before you go on an outing, make a mental note of what pair everyone is wearing. If someone gets lost, these pictures will be crucial to trackers.
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Novice
