Not all emergencies need a stretcher. But a portable stretcher is among the medical tools you’ll need in many emergencies.
You’d need to use a portable stretcher in emergencies where your patient can’t sit or walk. In particular, you’d need a portable stretcher when responding to distress calls. The stretcher will help you to transport injured and unconscious people.
Portable stretchers are also helpful during search and rescue operations. And that’s because wilderness terrains are often unforgiving and need these devices.
A portable stretcher is essential:
- When you need to move injured patients
- In search and rescue operations
Today, we examine emergencies that need you to use a portable stretcher in more detail.
1 – When You Need To Move Injured Patients
When you’re called to an emergency, you’ll likely find a patient who needs a stretcher. The patients will likely need you to carry them on a stretcher to a hospital.
In some cases, the patient may be able to walk, but the terrain is too rugged to navigate. You must move injured patients to prevent further injuries.
A stretcher usually comes with a rigid frame and straps. These straps allow you to transfer the patient without moving any injured parts.
Some portable stretchers, such as the one shown below, come with adjustable frames.
Alt: stretcher with adjustable frames
With the collapsible frames, you can place patients in enclosed spaces like an ambulance.
Nonetheless, keep some things in mind when responding to emergencies. These include choosing a suitable stretcher and medical equipment.
Selecting The Right Type Of Stretcher
Portable stretchers come in different forms, each designed for specific types of rescue. They include:
- Those for emergencies on flat grounds
- Those for sloppy terrains
- Those for tight spaces
You can use some stretchers in helicopter rescues or emergencies over water bodies. Some of these portable stretchers include:
- Basket stretchers. These are suitable for rescues in wildernesses. Their rigid frame allows you to move your patients over steep terrains. You can also drag the patient in tight spots and perform helicopter rescues.
- Scoop stretchers. These portable stretchers are for patients who must remain immobile. For instance, moving people with spinal injuries can trigger more complications. As their name suggests, these stretchers allow you to scoop the patient. You’d have to lift the patient to place them on your stretcher. Scooping makes it easy to place the patient on the portable stretcher.
- Ambulance stretchers. These are more suitable for open fields and flat, rigid surfaces. These stretchers come with adjustable frames and wheels.
Alt: stretcher with adjustable frames and wheels
The flexible structures allow you to collapse the stretcher. The wheels will enable you to push the patient instead of carrying their weight.
The dispatcher will, in most cases, provide details about the emergency. You can use the details to determine a suitable stretcher for the emergency.
Selecting The Accessories To Use With Your Stretcher
Rushing to the emergency scene with a stretcher alone may not be enough. When you’re rescuing a critical patient, you must carry extra accessories. These accessories include:
- Restraints. You’ll need these devices to secure your patient to your stretcher. Once secured, you can safely move them out of the emergency scenes. These devices prevent the patient from moving and straining injured points.
Additionally, they ensure the patient doesn’t suffer more injuries on their way to a hospital. They include shoulder, waist, and ankle restraints. The image below shows a strapped patient.
Alt: patient strapped to a stretcher
- Oxygen tank poles and holders. These are necessary for patients with breathing problems. You need your stretcher with enough room to support the breathing equipment. Carrying the equipment while trying to move the patient can be cumbersome.
Nonetheless, the process becomes easy if you have oxygen tank holders and poles. These accessories free your hands. You can concentrate on moving the patient using both hands. You can even use these poles to support an IV bag.
- Surface Boards. These boards are essential when you need to transport bariatric patients. The standard stretcher allows you to carry an average-sized child or adult. You may need something extra for extra-large patients.
Surface boards increase the surface area of your stretcher. The extra space allows you to support all areas of your bariatric patient’s back. These boards aren’t permanent. Thus, you can remove them when you need to rescue a normal-sized patient.
2 – During Search And Rescue Operations
Search and rescue situations are challenging. You don’t know when you’ll locate the patients. You also don’t know what state you’ll find them in.
You’ll have to carry your portable stretcher and other medical tools. Portable stretchers are lightweight, and some are even foldable. They can fit in tight spaces and are more portable once you’ve collapsed or folded them.
Some of these search and rescue situations requiring portable stretchers include:
- Mountain rescues
- Cave rescues
Mountain Search And Rescues
Search and rescue activities in mountainous environments are challenging. Dense mountains rarely have roads or paths. You’ll have to carry your stretcher, a machete to clear a passage, and other rescue equipment.
You may have to coordinate rescue efforts with a helicopter crew in some cases. Remote areas with dense forest cover need aerial surveillance. Thus, you’ll have to join the helicopter crew.
Cave Search And Rescue
Cave search and rescue involves exploring enclosed areas. Rescuing a patient means entering confined and rugged spaces like caves. Since caves can collapse, these are among the riskiest search and rescue operations.
Rescuers have to be careful to prevent cave accidents that can bury everyone. Sometimes you’ll have to send in a robot or seek the services of professionals. For example, experienced cavers can assess the cave before you can go in.
Conclusion
You’d use portable stretchers when transporting injured patients and in search and rescue operations. Ensure you have the correct type of stretcher and accessories. Doing so will protect the patient from further injuries. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts need collaboration with other experts. For example, you may need to work with helicopter crews and experienced cavers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are portable stretchers?
Portable stretches are medical devices that paramedics use to move patients. They immobilize and transport injured persons on these stretchers from emergency sites.
How do paramedics use portable stretchers?
Paramedics use portable stretchers to move patients over challenging terrains. They’re suitable for these conditions because they’re lightweight and deployable?
What conditions are suitable for using portable stretchers?
Several conditions are suitable for using portable stretchers. These include rough terrains and narrow spaces.
