Stretcher

A stretcher is a device used in medical professions to carry casualties or an incapacitated person from one place to another.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This usually occurs if the person is unable to walk themselves, or if other requirements mean a "stair chair" (wheelchair), or similar could not be used.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A stretcher is usually used by two people, one at the head and the other at the feet. The casualty is placed on the stretcher, and can then be carried away. Many times the casualty is strapped down to avoid further injuring themselves.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The stretcher used in ambulances have wheels that makes the transportation easier, and have a fixing device inside the ambulance to secure the victim in case of an accident.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Normalised" stretchers, or folding stretchers, are the simplest stretchers, made of two poles and two transversal hinged bars with a cloth stretched between the poles and four feet; the bars can be folded for the storing. They are now barely used by the modern emergency services, but still widely in use by organisations for which the storage room is an important factor, e.g. for first aid associations, or in French companies (a stretcher is mandatory). These stretchers are often used as beds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Disaster stretchers are design for an easy storage and transport. They consist in a tubular aluminum structure with a washable cloth. They cannot be folded, but can be piled up.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As normalised or disaster stretcher have no wheel, they are usually carried by three or four pepople. When they must be carried by only two people, they tie straps to the poles, so the weight is supported by the shoulders and not by the hands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~