Stretechers

When we think about Search & Rescue (SAR) one key piece of equipment stands out, the means of transporting a casualty, the stretcher.

This month we’ll have a look at a few different stretchers commonly used across the UKs’ SAR network.

To keep things simple, I’ll split stretchers into 2 categories, basket & roll type.

This month we’ll focus on the roll type and next month look at the basket type of stretcher.

When I work training SAR teams, I start off by asking ‘why are you using a stretcher?’ a question that often gets strange looks. But unless putting a casualty into a stretcher either reduces risk to the SAR team, speeds up the evacuation or has a clinical benefit to the casualty then it shouldn’t simply be a default setting.

As with everything we do in SAR, we should ask ourselves, why are we doing this? Is it because we’ve always done it or is there a benefit?

So having concluded that a stretcher is the right tool for the job, let’s look at a few of the roll type stretchers.

For those not familiar with this type of stretcher, its basic format is a sheet of plastic that can be rolled up for transportation, unrolled and a casualty placed on it, then when a curve is put on the plastic it warps around the casualty and becomes stiff enough to become a stretcher.

Frequently used for quick evacuations or where space is restricted / confined. Examples in industry are from confined spaces, in the areas of Wind Turbines & commonly in Cave / Mine rescues. However just because the rolled-up stretcher can get into the space doesn’t mean an unrolled one can!

There are a few makes that I see regularly used by teams, here in alphabetical order:

Price wise, anything from £600 to £1800. Some include bridal some without.

ABTECH SLIX 100

This is common with Fire & Cave Rescue Teams. The stretcher has a built-in casualty harness colour coded straps and a fold up foot end. Webbing handles on the side for carrying and 8 holes for rigging (4 for vertical and 4 for somewhere between horizontal and vertical). The supplied bridal is quite long, so care is needed when planning for rescues with restricted anchor point height.

FERNO TRS

This stretcher has a protective outer cover and significantly more casualty securing straps. Again, side handles but an option for a vertical lift, semi horizontal or a true horizontal be using a 6-point bridal. The outer can cover can make sliding and dragging more difficult but does protect the webbing structure.

HEIGHTEC Chrysalis & POD

To me, the thing that sets these 2stretchers apart is the casualty harness is tested using the same Fall factor 2 drop test that the rescuers harness is tested to. So, everyone in the rescue is equally well protected. The 2nd feature is that the lifting bridal is really short & allows the stretcher to be used with minimal anchor height. The webbing forms a complete net inside the stretcher for security.

The POD (new to the market for 2024) version has the same webbing casualty net but without the outer PVC sleeve, this makes dragging smoother. The unusual 5-point bridal allows for adjustment from horizontal to vertical. Both stretchers have simple secure fasten & quick buckles and are supplied with the bridals. The Chrysalis is common with Fire and Rescue teams.

Side handles and the ability (due to the short bridal) to ‘flip’ the stretcher between horizontal & vertical for getting through hatches, without changing the rigging.

SAR Evac Body Splint

Again, a PVC covered webbing stretcher, a basic casualty harness and foot loop. Horizontal rescue is possible by adding the additional 4-point bridal. Popular with some of the UK Mountain Rescue Teams.

SAVIOUR

This stretcher works well for tight spaces, smaller than the rest and with robust grab handles for dragging. The technical version has 4 lifting eyes for horizontal and an additional 2 at the head end for vertical lifting. No webbing casualty net inside this one, so like the ABTECH Slix 100 plastic is the only support.

There are several other makes out there, but in my experience, these represent the good cross section used by SAR in the UK.

They all fit different needs for SAR, if I had to choose just one from the selection above, up to very recently it would have been the heightec Chrysalis, however having spent some time using their new POD stretcher, I’d probably go for that one. Full rated harness, slightly wider so wraps the casualty well, full webbing net inside the plastic & an innovative bridal system. Personal preference, but it works for me.