(2) From a rotation. The following instructions assume a litter rotation has
been performed (the casualty's direction of travel is being changed from head first going
uphill to feet first going downhill, for example). The instructions assume the bearers are
in the positions shown in figure 3-34.
(a) Bearer four releases the side of the litter, moves to the front of the
litter, and grasps the litter handle at the casualty's right foot (his normal position for a
four-man carry).
(b) The bearer at the front of the litter (bearer two) releases the litter
handle to bearer 4; he switches the other handle to his right hand, and moves to his
normal four-man carry position.
(c) Bearer one releases his hold on the side of the litter, moves in front of
the other bearers, and turns to face the bearers.
(d) The bearer supporting the rear of the litter (bearer three) remains in the
same position.
b. Upon the command "MOVE," the bearers move downhill. The two bearers at
the front raise their end of the litter to keep the litter level and steady. The squad leader
(bearer one) supports the bearers two and four as needed.
c. After completing the descent, the bearers change to an appropriate carry,
usually the four-man carry.
3-36. OVERHEAD CARRY
The overhead carry is used to move through deep trenches and ford streams. The
following assumes the litter squad is in a four-man carry.
a. Upon the command "Overhead Carry," the two bearers at the front of the litter
(bearers two and four) turn to face each other and determine which is the taller. At the same
time, the two bearers at the rear of the litter (bearers one and three) turn to face each other
(figure 3-35) and determine which is the taller.
b. On the command "MOVE," the bearers switch to the overhead carry (figure
3-36).
(1)
The bearers raise the litter over their heads, taking care to keep the litter
level.
(2) The taller of the two bearers at the front moves between the two litter
poles, faces the direction of travel, grasps both litter handles as close to the cloth bed as
possible, and supports the front of the litter.
MD0001
3-36