When pulling a patient, how far should you extend your arms in front of your torso?

When pulling a patient, extending your arms 15 to 20 inches in front of your torso is considered optimal for maintaining effectiveness and safety during the maneuver. This range allows for proper body mechanics, ensuring that your back remains safe and reducing the risk of injury as you maintain control over the patient.

Extending your arms too far can lead to strain and compromise your ability to pull the patient effectively. On the other hand, pulling with arms positioned closer than this recommended distance may not provide enough leverage or control over the patient, making it harder to navigate movements efficiently. By maintaining this appropriate distance, you can combine strength and stability, ensuring a more effective and safer approach to patient handling during transport.