Why a shoulder-width stance is the safest position for an over-the-shoulder carry.

The power stance: keeping safe during an over-the-shoulder carry

In firefighting and emergency response, the way you position your body when you lift and carry someone over the shoulder isn’t a nicety—it’s a lifeline. When a load shifts, when stairs flare up, or when you need to dip in and out of a doorway, your stance can mean the difference between a smooth move and a slip that slows everyone down. So, what’s the ideal setup for your feet, your torso, and your grip? The simple truth is this: feet shoulder-width apart.

Let me explain why that stance matters. A stable base is what holds everything together. The body’s core is doing the heavy lifting, but the legs are the legs of the operation—the platform that keeps you upright as you maneuver, pivot, and adjust to obstacles. When the feet sit too close, or when they’re too far apart, the body’s balance shifts with the load. The risk isn’t just a stumble; it’s a spine-wrenching, shoulder-twisting moment that can injure you or the person you’re carrying. On uneven ground, a wide but controlled stance acts like a built-in stabilizer, letting you react quickly if a corner, a curb, or a stair tangle appears.

The correct stance, in practical terms, is simple: feet positioned shoulder-width apart. Here’s the thing—this isn’t a rigid, statue-like posture. It’s a dynamic, ready position. Your weight sits evenly, your knees have a whisper of bend, and your feet point roughly toward your path. From this base you can absorb shifts in the load, twist your torso without losing footing, and step with purpose when the route changes. It’s the difference between carrying risk and carrying confidence.

Why not the other options? You’ve probably seen opinions that arms fully extended, or shoulders leaned forward, or a back bent toward the load might seem to offer longer reach or more leverage. In real life, though, those choices undermine stability. Fully extending the arms separates the load from your center of gravity, making it easier for the weight to pull you off balance. A forward-leaning torso can tip your balance toward the load instead of your feet, inviting a stumble if the carrier shifts or if you meet an unexpected obstacle. A bent-back position strains the spine and invites fatigue or injury when you’re holding heavy weight for more than a moment. In short, those options sound logical on paper but they—quite frankly—reduce control when it counts.

So how do you translate the shoulder-width stance into action on the ground? Start with the setup, then move with intention.

• Foot placement: Plant your feet so they’re roughly one stride apart, toes pointing toward your path. This isn’t a pose; it’s a working stance that welcomes movement in any direction.

• Knee and hip readiness: Keep a light bend at the knees and a neutral spine. Think of energy stored in your legs, not your back.

• Core engagement: Draw your belly button toward your spine just enough to feel the wall of your abdomen tighten. A steady core keeps your spine aligned and reduces the chance of a twist mishap.

• The hold: Bring the casualty close to your center of gravity. You’re not trying to crane the load out in front; you’re locking it in so your hips and shoulders carry most of the weight, not your arms alone.

• Movement with the load: When you step, roll from heel to toe and keep your steps deliberate. Avoid sudden shifts that could throw the weight off balance. If the path narrows, adjust your stance before you shrink the footprint of the carry.

Let’s talk about a couple of realistic techniques that keep this stance useful in the field. You’re navigating a hallway with a crew behind you, or you’re threading through a doorway with a patient over your shoulder. The shoulder-width stance keeps you grounded, but your steps have to be controlled. A quick, practiced cadence is better than a fast, careless one. If the load shifts—perhaps because of an uneven floor or a tired grip—you can micro-adjust with small shifts of your hips and a slight glide of your feet to re-center. That’s where the base pays off: you don’t have to stop and reset; you adapt, you move, you keep moving.

Now, what about common missteps that sneak in when you’re tired or pressed for time? Here are a few to watch for, plus how to fix them without overthinking it.

• Feet too close together: It feels balanced at first, but when a load shifts you’re suddenly tippy. Fix: widen to shoulder width and keep a soft knee.

• Arms too extended: It looks like you’re “reaching out,” but in truth you’re distant from your center of gravity. Fix: hug the load in toward your chest and keep elbows tucked.

• Torso twisting: It happens when you’re trying to look ahead while carrying. Fix: keep your torso square to your path and use the feet to guide turns, not the shoulders.

• Slouching back: Belts and braces aren’t a free pass for bad posture. Fix: imagine a string lifting from the crown of your head; lengthen your spine, don’t flatten it.

Real-world tangents are part of the day-to-day, and they test this stance more than any theoretical exercise. Picture a city block at dawn: you’re carrying someone over your shoulder, stepping over curb edges, negotiating a stairwell, or pivoting around a parked vehicle. The shoulder-width base helps you stay upright as you climb a few stairs, sidestep a little low railing, and keep the person you’re carrying snug against your body. It’s not just about raw strength; it’s about balance, timing, and smart movement under pressure.

If you’re a student of the field, you’ve probably noticed how essential it is to keep that base stable as you adjust to changing terrain. A strong stance doesn’t guarantee flawless success, but it dramatically reduces risk. And here’s a small reality check: even with the best stance, fatigue can creep in. That’s where rhythm and breath come into play. A steady breath helps you hold your core in a controlled way, so your stance remains solid even as you push through a demanding segment of a call.

To make this practical and memorable, here’s a quick, repeatable checklist you can keep in mind during operations or training climbs:

• Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.

• Load held close to the center of gravity, elbows tucked.

• Spine neutral; head level; eyes on the path ahead.

• Steps deliberate and measured; avoid rushing.

• Adjust hips and feet as a unit when changing direction.

• Pause briefly after a particularly tough segment to re-center if needed.

A few closing thoughts to tie everything together. The over-the-shoulder carry isn’t a solo act; it’s a coordinated sequence with teammates, equipment, and a changing environment. Your stance isn’t an ornament; it’s the foundation that supports every move you make. The goal isn’t to show off a perfect pose—it's to keep yourself and the person you’re moving safe, efficient, and ready to respond to whatever comes next.

So, here’s the takeaway: the ideal body position for an over-the-shoulder carry starts with a solid, shoulder-width stance. It’s the anchor that keeps you balanced as loads shift, terrain shifts, and routes shift. The other postures—arms fully extended, leaning forward, or a bent-back—sound reasonable in theory but undermine control in practice. Embrace the shoulder-width base, keep your core engaged, hug the load in, and move with intention. That combination is what helps you navigate obstacles, protect both yourself and the person you’re assisting, and stay one step ahead when every second counts.

If you ever want to talk through a scenario or walk through a couple of real-life shapes and moves, I’m happy to swap notes. In the end, it’s the small, consistent habits—the steady stance, the controlled steps, the close hug of the load—that compound into safer, more confident carries. And isn’t that exactly what you want when the situation gets tough and the clock’s ticking?