STOKES STRETCHER.\The Stokes stretcher is commonly used for transporting sick or injured people. The Stokes stretcher is essentially a wire basket supported by iron or aluminum rods. It is adaptable to a variety of uses, since the casualty can be held securely in place even if the stretcher is tipped or turned. The Stokes stretcher is particularly valuable for transporting injured persons to and from ships. It can be used with flotation devices to rescue injured survivors from the water. Fifteen-foot handling lines are attached to each end for shipboard use in moving the casualty.

The Stokes stretcher (fig. 13-20) should be padded with three blankets: two of them should be placed lengthwise, so that one will be under each of the casualty's legs, and the third should be folded in half and placed in the upper part of the stretcher to protect

Figure 13-20.\Stokes stretcher.

Figure 13-21.\Army litter.

the head and shoulders. The casualty should be lowered gently onto the stretcher and be made as comfortable as possible. The feet must be fastened to the end of the stretcher so they will not slide down. Another blanket (or more, if necessary) should be used to cover the casualty. The casualty must be fastened to the stretcher by means of straps that go over the chest, hips, and knees. Make sure the straps go over the blanket or other covering, to hold it in place.

ARMY LITTER.\The Army litter (fig. 13-21) is a collapsible stretcher made of canvas and supported by wooden or aluminum poles. It is useful for transporting battle casualties in the field. However, because it is sometimes difficult to fasten the casualty onto the Army litter, its use is limited aboard ship. It is most useful aboard ship in mass casualty situations to hold casualties in one stationary area. The litter is designed so its legs keep the patient off the ground and fit into the restraining tracks of a jeep or field ambulance to hold the litter in place.

IMPROVISED STRETCHER.\Standard stretchers should be used whenever possible to transport a seriously injured person. If no stretcher is available, you may have to improvise. Shutters, doors, boards, and even ladders may be used as stretchers. An improvised stretcher must be well padded and great care must be taken to see that the casualty is fastened securely in place.

Sometimes a blanket may be used as a stretcher (fig. 13-22). The casualty is placed in the middle of the blanket on his/her back. Three or four people kneel on each side and roll the edges of the blanket toward the casualty (see A in fig. 13-22). When the rolled edges are tight and large enough to grab securely, the casualty can be lifted and carried (see B in fig. 13-22).

Figure 13-22.\Blanket used as an improvised stretcher.

Stretchers may also be improvised by using two long poles (about 7 feet long) and any strong cloth, such as a rug, blanket, sheet, mattress cover, two or three gunny sacks, or two coats.

WARNING

Many improvised stretchers do not give sufficient support to be used in cases where there are fractures or extensive wounds.

EMERGENCY RESCUE LINES.\The steel wire lifeline can be used to haul a casualty to safety. An emergency rescue line can also be made from a strong fiber line. Both are used only in extreme emergencies, when no other means are available to move a casualty.

FIREMAN'S CARRY.\One of the easiest ways to carry an unconscious casualty is by means of the fireman's carry. Figure 13-23 shows the procedures described in the following steps:

1. Turn the casualty so he/she is lying face down (see A in fig. 13-23). Kneel on one knee at the patient's head, facing the casualty. Pass your hands under the patient's armpits; then slide your hands down the back.

2. Raise the casualty to his/her knees (see B in fig. 13-23). Take a better hold across the patient's back.

3. Raise the casualty to a standing position, and stick your right leg between the patient's legs (see C in fig. 13-23). Grasp the patient's right wrist in your left hand and swing the casualty around the back of your neck and down your left shoulder.

4. Stoop quickly and pull the casualty across your shoulders. At the same time, put your right arm between the patient's legs (see D in fig. 13-23).

5. Grasp the patient's right wrist with your right hand and straighten up (see E in fig. 13-23).

TIED-HANDS CRAWL.\The tied-hands crawl, shown in figure 13-24, may be used to drag an unconscious casualty for a short distance; it is particularly useful when you must crawl underneath a low structure.

To carry a casualty by this method, lie the patient flat on his/her back. Cross the patient's wrists and tie them together. Kneel astride the casualty and lift the patient's arms over your head so his/her wrists are at the back of your neck. When you crawl forward, raise your shoulders high enough so that the casualty's head will not bump against the deck or ground.