Rautek grip: How the first aid measure works

Brief overview

  • What is the rescue grip (hash grip)? A first aid measure used to move immobile people from a danger area or from sitting to lying down. Named after its inventor, the Austrian Jiu-Jitsu instructor Franz Rautek (1902-1989).
  • This is how the rescue hold works: Lift the head and shoulders of the victim from behind, support the back with your own knee or thigh. Reach under the armpits, grab the victim by the forearm and pull him out of the danger zone or lay him down.
  • In which cases is this necessary? When someone cannot move out of a danger zone on their own or when first aid would not be possible in a sitting position/at this point and the patient is immobile.
  • Risks: Risk of injury to the victim (e.g., broken bones, spinal injuries) and to the first responder (by moving into a danger zone).

Caution.

  • If a spinal injury is suspected, the first aider should move the victim only if his or her life is in acute danger!
  • Sometimes the first aider must adapt the rescue grip to the situation and, for example, bend down to the side next to the car door to the injured person.
  • If a second rescuer is present, the second rescuer should carry the patient’s legs while the first rescuer grips the upper body using the hash grip.

How does the rescue grip (hash grip) work?

The hash grip allows you as a first aider to use leverage to move people who are significantly heavier than you are, at least over short distances. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Put on disposable gloves to prevent infection
  2. Check whether the injured person is conscious by talking to him or her and, if necessary, shaking him or her gently (not if spinal injuries are suspected!)
  3. If the casualty is in a car: turn off the engine, but leave the key in the ignition
  4. If the affected person does not react or cannot move independently, use the Rautek rescue handle to move him or her out of the danger zone. If necessary, first unbuckle the seat belt and check whether the legs of the casualty are stuck
  5. If possible, get behind the casualty. Talk to him calmly if he is conscious – it gives confidence to know what is happening to you
  6. Push your arms forward under the armpits of the casualty, grasp one of his forearms with both hands and angle it at a 90-degree angle in front of the casualty’s chest
  7. For grasping the forearm, the so-called monkey grip is recommended: that is, you do not grab the forearm with the thumb on one side and the other four fingers on the other side of the forearm, but place the thumb on the arm next to the other fingers. This way you avoid squeezing the arm (too) hard
  8. Now pull the casualty onto your thighs, straighten up and carefully move him backwards out of the danger zone.
  9. Lay the casualty on his back in a safe place, ideally on a (rescue) blanket
  10. If the patient is unconscious, you should check his breathing. If necessary, start resuscitation.
  11. Call the rescue service at this point at the latest or ask a bystander to do so

If you would put yourself in danger by rendering first aid or if the victim is trapped, you should immediately call the rescue service and, if necessary, the fire department. Then wait until they arrive.

When do I use the rescue hold (hash hold)?

The hash grip is used when

  • in the position in which the patient is, necessary immediate measures (e.g., resuscitation, wound care) cannot be performed

The Rautek rescue hold can be performed on both unconscious and immobilized “awake” patients. Moreover, it can be applied to seated patients as well as to supine patients. However, since it involves an acute risk of injury, it should only be used if there is otherwise a danger to life.

Risks of the rescue hold (hash hold)

The rhombus grip is effective, but not necessarily gentle. For example, the patient’s spine is moved and not stabilized. This can lead to injuries in this area or aggravate already existing injuries.

In addition, the first responder can unintentionally cause rib fractures and injuries in the arm and shoulder area to the victim by using the rescue grip.

The first aider runs the risk of injuring himself if he enters the danger zone to apply the rescue hold to an injured person – without securing himself or taking certain protective measures.