E26 | EMS Lifting vs Carrying | What First Responders Actually Need to Train

This episode breaks down EMS lifting vs carrying, including why first responders need to train for more than just the lift itself.   Most people think the hardest part is getting the patient off the ground. But in reality? The lift is often just the beginning. Because once the patient is up, you still have to: hold the load walk with it adjust your grip stabilize under fatigue navigate stairs, hallways, obstacles, and awkward environments In this episode of First Responder Readiness, we break down the difference between lifting and carrying in EMS, why they place different demands on your body, and what first responders actually need to train to hold up on shift. Because producing force and sustaining force are not the same thing. What You’ll Learn The difference between lifting and carrying from a performance standpoint Why carrying often becomes more physically demanding than the initial lift How grip endurance, core stability, posture, and single-leg control affect performance Why traditional gym training may miss what the job actually requires How to start training for real-world EMS demands Key Takeaways Lifting and carrying are different physical demands Carrying requires sustained force, not just force production Grip, posture, and core endurance play a major role in performance Fatigue makes carrying breakdown happen faster Training should reflect the full task—not just the first movement 🎧 Continue Listening To better understand how this connects to fatigue, lifting mechanics, and job-specific performance, check out: Episode 12: EMS Lifting Mechanics | Why Patient Lifts Break Down Under Fatigue Episode 14: First Responder Fatigue | How Exhaustion Is Affecting Your Performance Homework This week, add one carry variation to your training. Pay attention to: when your grip starts to fatigue whether posture changes under load if one side feels weaker or less stable how long you can maintain control Awareness is where better training starts. Fit for the Call Insider If you’re trying to build strength that actually holds up through the entire job—not just the first part of the movement—I created something for you. Fit for the Call Insider is where I share practical strategies to help you: train smarter reduce injury risk improve durability stay ready for the job Coaching Call If you’re realizing there’s a gap between how you train and what your job actually demands— 👉 Book a 1-hour coaching session We’ll break down your movement, training approach, and what adjustments will better match your real-world demands. Share & Support If this episode changed how you think about training for the job: Follow the podcast Leave a review Share it with your crew or partner