Important:
Please read, study and understand these
instructions before use.
Use
The Alpine Stretcher is designed for rescue, not
(ppe) personal protective equipment. Each
stretcher comes complete with adjustable slings
for lifting, lowering or carrying stretchers in
mountaineering, or industrial rescues and
helicopter winching, casualty securing straps,
detachable handles and storage bag. Use only as
instructed and with compatible items of
equipment. Check that the safe function of any
one component within a system will not interfere
with the safe function of another. Twists in
webbing can cause problems and weakness in
other components such as karabiners.
Users should be trained, competent or under the
supervision of such a person.
Note: the information in this guide meets the
requirements of the E.C. Directive 89/686/EEC. It
is not comprehensive and cannot be
substituted for the correct training, which can be
provided if required. If in any doubt please don’t
hesitate to contact us.
Safety
The safety provided by the stretcher depends on
its strength, how it is used and the skill of the
user. The strength will be reduced through age,
wear and tear, the webbing and buckles on the
stretcher straps will also suffer from abrasion,
cuts, high impact loads, tight/sharp edges, knots,
some chemical (Eg. Alkalis, etc.), UV or failure to
store and maintain as recommended. This list is
not exhaustive. Do not alter the product in any
way. Any part of the stretcher frame, webbing,
maillons and buckles subjected to a minor impact
should be examined and discarded if there is any
sign of defect or any doubts about its safety.
Lifespan
This is difficult to estimate but we advise as
follows:
Do not use more than ten years after the date of
purchase and webbing five years after its first
use. Assuming you have used the correct
storage. The working life can vary between a
single use in extreme circumstances (e.G. Highly
chemical environment, serious fall) to the
maximum of five/ten years, depending on how the
product is used. The working life will be reduced
through age, general wear and tear, abrasion,
cuts, damage to component parts,
inappropriate ancillary equipment, high impact
load, prolonged exposure to UV light including
sunlight, elevated temperature (50° c max)
exposure to some chemicals (e.g. Alkalis, etc.) or
failure to store and maintain as recommended.
This list is not exhaustive. This use can increase
to more than ten years if used infrequently. It can
be visually inspected by the manufacturer for a
further five years (this will not be a load test as
this could cause unseen damage)
Inspection
Before each use visually inspect to ensure the
product is in serviceable condition and operates
correctly. An examination should be carried out at
least every 6 months by a competent person
authorised by the manufacturer. These
inspections should be recorded paying particular
attention to areas of potentially high wear such as
attachment points, buckles, connectors and sewn
joints.
Inspect as follows:
Textiles: Check for cuts, tears, and abrasions,
damage due to deterioration, contact
with heat, alkalis or other corrosives.
Sewing: Check for broken, cut or worn threads.
Metals: Check for cracks, distortion, corrosion,
wear by abrasion, burrs, worn or loose
rivets or screws, discolouration caused
by extreme heat (greater than 100° c)
broken springs, frays or cuts, seizure of
moving parts, broken or missing
components.
Immediately withdraw from service any items
showing defects. The user’s life depends on it.
All repair work should be carried out by the
manufacturer or with their authorisation.
Anchorage
Anchor points should always be strong enough to
hold the user, particularly in the event of a fall.
They should be at least 15kN for a single person
use. A webbing lanyard or rope should be
effectively sleeved to protect against damage if
structural members with sharp edges cannot be
avoided as anchorage points.
Anchor points, wherever possible, should be
above the user to limit any fall. In rescue any
possibility of a fall or impact loads should be
eliminated from the systems.
645cm
20cm
20cm
C
L
Rope
Rope
Keep sling/rope
secure
Rope
Attach safety sling/rope
Rope
Pull sling/rope
The following drawings and dimensions should
be used as a guide only as different techniques
may cause them to change.
Horizontal Single Point
Horizontal Double Point
Vertical Lifting:
Single Double
Typical vertical lift over sharp edge using
double line system.
1.
2. 3.
4.
