What are stretchers?

STRETCHERS

When a patient has to be moved for some distance, a stretcher should be used. A stretcher may be improvised out of light doors, a ladder or a gate. It should be padded with blankets, grasses or straw.

Stretcher is the original term used for a bed-like device to transport patients. The original stretchers composed only of two bars and fabric and was lifted by two or more people from each end. Then there came modernized Foldable Stretcher with wheels for easy transport over pavements etc.

Stretcher, also referred to as a gurney or a patient trolley, is a medical device upon which a patient lies for transportation. A wide variety of stretchers are available and their design depends upon the use to which the stretcher is put.

FIVE TYPES OF STRETCHERS :

Flexible stretcher

This stretcher is made of rubberised canvas or other flexible material such as heavy plastic, often with wooden slats sewn into pockets.

Basket stretcher

This device is sometimes referred to as a strokes basket. mostly used for wilderness or cliff rescue situations.

Portable stretcher

This type of Portable Folding Stretchers is also known as a folding or flat stretcher. it is much lighter than a standard wheeled stretcher and makes the task of moving a patient down stairs or out of tight spaces much easier.

Stair chair

The stair chair helps rescuers move seated medical patients down stair ways and through tight places where a traditional stretcher will not fit. newer brands are made of sturdy folding frames with either canvas or hard plastic seats and are easy to store.

Scoop stretcher

This device is typically made of hard plastic or aluminium. it is called a scoop stretcher because it splits vertically into two pieces, which can be used to scoop the patient up.

Hope this will help you in some extend to understand, What are stretchers and how it is useful.