What is the pneumatic lifting rule?

• A. Lift an inch, crib an inch; lift only enough to remove the patient without further injury.
• B. Lift quickly to move the patient regardless of hazards.
• C. Lift to full height to reposition the patient.
• D. Do not lift until the patient's vital signs are stable.

Answer: (A)

Gradual, controlled lifting to maintain spinal immobilization is the core idea here. When a patient may have a spinal injury, even small movements can worsen damage. Pneumatic lifting devices let you raise the patient in tiny, controlled increments. After each small lift, you place cribbing or supports under the patient to lock in the new height and prevent settling or shifting. This “lift an inch, crib an inch” approach keeps the spine aligned, distributes the lifting forces, and minimizes the risk of additional injury while you work toward safely moving the patient.

Raising quickly, lifting to full height before stabilization, or waiting for vital signs before lifting all carry higher risk of moving the spine or delaying safe removal. The rule prioritizes keeping movement to an absolute minimum while still enabling casualty extraction.