ArmaTrex Rescue Stretcher – SLETCHER
The History of Stretchers
An early stretcher, likely made of wicker over a frame, appears in a manuscript from c.1380. Simple stretchers were common with the military right through the middle of the 20th century. Rough terrains with obstacles, narrow staircases and inadequate access, make it difficult if not impossible to carry patients using conventional stretchers. Usage in handling various medical and surgical emergency cases has proven the efficacy and acceptability of the design.
The stretcher is an important and expensive item of equipment in the emergency department. We draw attention to some of the many defects in design and engineering of stretchers and make some suggestions about how these can be improved. Simple stretchers are the most rudimentary type; lightweight and portable, made of canvas or other synthetic material suspended between two poles or tubular aluminium frame. Many are stored as disaster supplies and are often former military equipment.
Basic stretchers
Stretchers are primarily used in acute out-of-hospital care situations by emergency medical services (EMS), military, and search and rescue personnel. Typically, it is shaped to accommodate an adult in a face up position and it is used in search and rescue operations and strapped into the basket, making safe evacuation possible.
The ARMATREX SLETCHER answers all these requirements; a roll up rescue stretcher is ideal for moving a casualty safely in almost any rescue situation. Compact and versatile the ARMATREX SLETCHER is ideal for search and rescue operations and can be used to rescue and recover in both the vertical and as a sling load, designed for confined space rescue and can be used either vertically or horizontally.
The SLETCHER design minimises multiple handling and avoid the constant transfer of the patient/casualty and associated disruption, ensuring the patient/casualty remains in one single stretcher and transfer system – the SLETCHER – designed for the medical responder, rescue industry and military, remote location and operations, and wilderness for use in austere and hostile environments.
ARMATREX believes our innovative design, range of products and the application of technology is going to revolutionise the emergency response, casualty management and rescue protocols, systems and processes across industry, to include military, emergency response services and response in support of mass casualty events and incidents, including humanitarian aid and disaster relief response and projects.
The family of the ARMATREX SLETCHER products are low tech, used by the layman or medically untrained, designed to be reused and easily cleaned.
The ARMATREX SLETCHER MORTUARY is specifically designed for the management of the deceased, cadavers and mortal remains as it is lined with a disposable body bag.
ARMATREX pose an innovative and unique approach to casualty management and provide products meeting a market need, applying a disruptive stance through design, use of materials and fabrics, introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking and technology for trauma management providing health economic solutions. The SLETCHER is a groundbreaking extrication and rescue stretcher, being lightweight, portable and provides a flexible alternative to managing a casualty or patient.
The SLETCHER, rescue and extrication stretcher, and market ready and in operation, currently deployed in support of remote clinics, sites and hostile environments, with HEMS, maritime and rescue/USAR teams and medical providers and military organisations. Designed to fit in the lockers of 4×4 vehicles and MedEvac/CasEvac Helicopters.
The ARMATREX SLETCHER design is compact and conveniently stowed, for easy and quick deployment, to securely package the casualty, for safe carrying and transfer and casualty management.
The built-in back protector and internal chest harness fully secures the casualty and the two overlapping ‘wings’ wrap around to provide full environmental protection, held in place with sturdy Velcro cross straps, easily carried using the 8 carry lifting straps. Fitted with dedicated ladder extension drag handles at the foot and head ARMATREX SLETCHER can be dragged as a sled for easy extraction or towed. The internal lower leg strap enables the casualty to be further stabilized. The four point lifting points are rated to 1000kg for lifting or Heli extraction.
The internal detachable head block allows for casualty comfort and the design caters for the inclusion of the ARMATREX folding ‘SLETCHER Board’, or a conventional spine board or scoop stretcher.
The Sletchers are fully certificated, designed to be lifted, used for both horizontal and vertical lifting for rescue and a wide range of confined, exposed or high angle scenarios and locations.
ARMATREX are forward thinking, receptive to ideas and change, swift to respond and small enough to make all and any decisions quickly. We are about to make a difference.
There are a Family of ARMATREX SLETCHERS
To download the ARMATREX SLETCHER Flyers, click on the SLETCHER product above
ArmaTrex Partners and Customers
