StretchersThe military uses a number of standard stretchers.The following discussion will familiarize you with themost common types. When using a stretcher, youshould consider a few general rules:Use standard stretchers when available, but beready to improvise safe alternatives.When possible, bring the stretcher to thecasualty.Always fasten the victim securely to thestretcher.Always move the victim FEET FIRST so therear bearer can watch for signs of breathingdifficulty.STOKES STRETCHER.—The Navy servicelitter most commonly used for transporting sick orinjured persons is called the Stokes stretcher. Asshown in figure 3–27, the Stokes stretcher isessentially a wire basket supported by iron rods. Evenif the stretcher is tipped or turned, the casualty can beheld securely in place, making the Stokes adaptable toa variety of uses. This stretcher is particularly valuablefor transferring injured persons to and from boats. Asmentioned before, it can also be used with flotationdevices to rescue injured survivors from the water. It isalso used for direct ship-to-ship transfer of injuredpersons. Fifteen-foot handling lines are attached toeach end for shipboard use in moving the victim.The Stokes stretcher should be padded with threeblankets: two of them should be placed lengthwise (sothat one will be under each of the casualty’s legs), andthe third should be folded in half and placed in theupper part of the stretcher to protect the head andshoulders. The casualty should be lowered gently intothe stretcher and made as comfortable as possible. Thefeet must be fastened to the end of the stretcher so thatthe casualty will not slide down. Another blanket (ormore, if necessary) should be used to cover thecasualty. The casualty must be fastened to the stretcherby means of straps that go over the chest, hips, andknees. Note that the straps go OVER the blanket orother covering, thus holding it in place.ARMY LITTER.—The Army litter, shown infigure 3–28, is a collapsible stretcher made of canvasand supported by wooden or aluminum poles. It is veryuseful for transporting battle casualties in the field.However, it is sometimes difficult to fasten thecasualty onto the Army litter, and for this reason its useis somewhat limited aboard ship. The litter legs keepthe patient off the ground. The legs fit into therestraining tracks of a jeep or field ambulance to holdthe litter in place during transport.MILLER (FULL BODY) BOARD.¾The MillerBoard (fig 3-29) is constructed of an outer plastic shellwith an injected foam core of polyurethane foam. It isimpervious to chemicals and the elements and can beused in virtually every confined-space rescue andvertical extrication. The Miller Board provides for fullbody immobilization through a harness system,including a hood and two-point contact for the head(forehead and chin) to stabilize the head and cervicalspine. The board’s narrow design allows passagethrough hatches and crowded passageways. It fits3-18Figure 3–27.—Stokes stretcher.Figure 3–28.—Opening an Army litter.
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