Stretcher

Stretcher

A stretcher serves as a medical device employed for transporting casualties or individuals who are incapacitated from one location to another. In some cases, it is referred to as a simple type of litter.

Typically, a stretcher is maneuvered by two individuals—one positioned at the head and the other at the feet. The casualty is placed onto the stretcher and can then be carried or wheeled away. It becomes necessary when an individual is unable to ambulate independently or when circumstances prevent the use of alternative devices such as a "stair chair" (wheelchair).

Most modern civilian stretchers feature straps to prevent further injury to the patient. Stretchers have been utilized since ancient times, particularly in battlefield and emergency scenarios where wheeled vehicles encounter difficulties navigating rough terrain. In their basic form, they typically consist of a canvas sling with sewn edges forming pockets through which wooden poles can be inserted. This design remained prevalent in military settings until the mid-20th century and is still utilized by emergency responders in disaster situations where rapid triaging and movement of patients based on injury severity are crucial.

Ambulance stretchers are equipped with wheels to facilitate transportation over pavement and include a locking mechanism inside the ambulance to secure the victim during transport.

"Normalized" or folding stretchers are the simplest type, consisting of two poles, two hinged transversal bars, a cloth stretched between the poles, and four feet. These stretchers are now seldom used by modern emergency services but are still prevalent in organizations where storage space is a significant consideration, such as first aid associations or French companies where a stretcher is mandated.

Disaster stretchers are designed for convenient storage and transport and feature a tubular aluminum structure with a washable cloth. They cannot be folded but can be stacked.

Since normalized or disaster stretchers lack wheels, they are typically carried by three or four individuals. In cases where only two individuals are available for carrying, straps are attached to the poles to distribute the weight onto the shoulders rather than the hands.

Loading a casualty onto the stretcher involves lifting them, a task that can be performed manually or with specific devices. For instance, a long spine board may be used to lift and carry the patient, especially if a spine injury is suspected.

A reeves stretcher, also known as a flexible stretcher, comprises wooden or plastic planks supporting a flexible tarpaulin with handles. It is primarily utilized for maneuvering patients through confined spaces or for lifting obese patients, featuring six handholds to accommodate multiple rescuers during extrication. Law enforcement personnel may also employ the Reeves stretcher as a humane method of restraint.

To load the patient onto the reeves stretcher, it is folded, and the patient is rolled aside to allow the stretcher to be positioned underneath them. Subsequently, the stretcher is unfolded, and for the patient's comfort, a dry sheet is often inserted.