Helicopter rescues can be life-saving. That’s because helicopters can quickly transport a patient to a hospital for specialized medical care. Helicopter rescues can only be effective when you have the right equipment. That also means the right stretchers.
The most common stretcher for helicopter rescues is the basket stretcher. It has strong handles that allow the rescue helicopter crew to hoist the patient. Another option is the Neil Roberson stretcher. The Robertson stretcher is suitable in emergencies where a vertical lift is required.
Let’s dig deeper into the appropriate stretchers for a helicopter rescue.
1 – The Basket Stretcher
The basket stretcher is among the most adaptable stretchers. You can use it in just about any rescue situation to lift, drag or even carry your patient to safety.
It’s flexible, sturdy, and can support the patient’s weight as you lift them to a helicopter. Some of its features that make it suitable for rescue situations include:
- It’s fire resistant. This property makes it ideal for helicopter rescues by the fire department.
- It’s made from high-resistance plastic and aluminum. These materials enable it to resist everyday wear and tear and corrosion.
- Its plastic and aluminum frame allows you to carry and hoist a maximum patient load of 159 kilograms.
- It weighs 18-20 kilograms, making it portable.
- It has several handles allowing you to tie ropes that ease a helicopter rescue.
How To Perform A Helicopter Rescue With A Basket Stretcher
The first step of a helicopter rescue involves preparing the basket stretcher. Basket stretchers may come with a mash wire or plastic base. A patient may find these bases uncomfortable to lie on.
Apart from providing comfort, the blanket keeps the patient warm. You can also use a thermal blanket as shown below:
Alt: injured woman on a plastic stretcher covered by a thermal blanket
You can make the stretcher more comfortable by placing a blanket where the patient will lie. Placing the blanket involves a precise procedure, as highlighted below:
Step 1: Place the unfolded blanket across the stretcher. Position the blanket’s upper edge slightly beyond the edge of the stretcher. This is the position where the patient’s head will lie.
These stretchers usually come with markings indicating head and feet positions. You may use two blankets if you feel like one will not provide sufficient comfort and warmth.
Step 2: Place your casualty on the basket stretcher. The method you use to transfer the patient will depend on their injuries. Work with your colleagues to carry the casualty if they can’t move independently.
If the patient has a spinal, neck, or limb injury, secure the injured zones first. Use splints, neck braces, and padding. Once secured, use a scoop stretcher to transfer them.
Regardless of your chosen method, always pay attention to the injured zone. Ensure minimal movement of these areas.
Step 3: Cover the patient. Fold the blanket at the patient’s feet and tuck it between the ankles. Folding at the feet will prevent chafing.
Next, fold the blanket on one side of the casualty, then on the other side. Ensure you tuck in the blanket once you’ve covered the patient.
Fill any remaining spaces using cushions or more blankets.
The patient is now ready for transfer to the helicopter. If the helicopter can land, carry the casualty to the helicopter. If it can’t, strap the stretcher so the patient can be hoisted to the helicopter.
Note: You can use a sleeping bag instead of a blanket if they don’t have a limb, spinal or neck injury.
Step 4: Use straps to secure the basket stretcher. Rescue helicopters come with straps that lift the patient towards the helicopter. Secure the stretcher using these straps. Next, give the helicopter crew the signal to lift the patient.
You can accompany the patient as shown in the image below:
Alt: helicopter rescue
Safety Note: Always turn the quick-release buckles upside down. This position prevents them from accidentally releasing. Add a rope lashing system to enhance security and safety.
2 – The Neil Robertson Stretcher
The Robertson stretcher is best for rescuing patients from tight spaces. This stretcher has a flexible fabric that wraps tightly around the patient.
What Makes Robertson Stretcher Suitable?
Several reasons make the Robertson stretcher suitable for helicopter rescues, including:
- It’s ideal for emergencies where rescuers have little room to maneuver the patient safely. Vertical hoisting is appropriate for rescuing patients trapped in hostile environments. These include emergencies in silos, masts, and towers. The Robertson stretcher is also suitable for rescues from wells, caves, and cliff faces. In most cases mentioned above, the helicopter can’t land, and the patient must be pulled up from the hovering aircraft.
- The Robertson stretcher secures the patent tightly, avoiding accidents from falls.
- It’s foldable and lightweight, making it easy to store or transport to the accident scene. When folded, its small size allows you to pass it through tight spots as you try to reach the patient.
- It enhances patient safety during hoisting. When you tie a lifeline next to the Robertson stretcher, you’ll prevent unwanted swaying. Reduced swaying improves safety and makes pulling the patient upwards to the rescue helicopter easier.
How To Use The Neil Robertson Stretcher
Using the Robertson stretcher requires some training and practice because there’s a precise way of using it. Below are the steps involved.
Step 1: Place the stretcher next to the patting. Ensure the stretcher is well-positioned and that its “head” and “foot” sections coincide with the casualty’s.
Step 2: Unfasten its straps. The stretcher has several straps that enable you to secure the different sections of the patient. Unfasten the straps so the patient doesn’t lie on them.
Step 3: Load your patient. Place your patient on the stretcher while ensuring their forehead is positioned at the same level as the stretcher’s head. This position will allow you to use the stretcher’s Velcro strap to secure the patient’s forehead.
Step 4: Secure your patient. The standard procedure begins by fastening the Velcro strap to the patient’s head. You can then gradually secure the other straps to the patient’s feet. Securing the patient also involves ensuring the hoisting rope secures the stretcher’s head and foot rings.
Step 5: Give the helicopter crew the signal to lift the patient to the aircraft.
Conclusion
The basket stretcher is the most popular gurney for helicopter rescues. It has handles where you can tie the hoisting ropes and lift the patient to the helicopter. The Neil Robertson stretcher is also suitable for helicopter rescues. It supports vertical hoisting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stretchers are suitable for helicopter rescues from the sea?
The Neil Robertson Stretcher is the most suitable for helicopter rescues. This stretcher is specifically designed for rescuing patients from confined areas. It’s a suitable tool for rescuing patients on ships and boats.
How can I make the basket stretcher more comfortable?
Place a blanket on the stretcher to make the patient feel more comfortable while lying on it. A blanket also has the benefit of keeping the patient warm throughout the rescue process.
How much patient weight can a basket stretcher support?
The standard basket stretchers support a maximum of 159 kilograms.
