Saviour Medical Saviour Technical Stretcher User manual

The contents of this Manual must be read and
fully understood before using the Saviour
Tactical stretcher. Incorrect use will reduce
service life and may endanger the casualty.
Manual and
Technical
Specications
for the
Saviour Technical
Stretcher
a division of Publication reference:
BLKTECMan-001 Version 1

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
• Allclosure,carrystrapshandles
and stitching are POLYPROPYLENE
• Allbucklesandkeepersare316
 STAINLESSSTEEL
• MainbodyandinnerskinareLDPE
• HeadHuggerandCarryBagarePVC
• HeadHaulEyeletis316STAINLESS
 STEELandNYLON66
• EyeletsforFootLoopareNICKLE 
 PLATEDBRASS
• HeadHaulStropisPOLYPROPYLENE
 SUPERTAPE
• InnerSkinretainerandscrewis
 NYLON66
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS:
14a 14b
PackedCarryBagDimensions(both):
70 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm
Weightofpacked
TechnicalStretcher:
9 Kg
(includingliftingstrops)
Saviour Technical Stretcher
Publication reference: CIVTECMan-001 Version 1
ThisEquipmentconformstoCE93/42/EECClass1
andiscoveredbyEECDirective93/42/EECCLASS1DEVICE.
ThisEquipmentisregisteredwiththeCompetentAuthority
(UK)andconrmstoArticle11(5)AnnexVIISection3.
INTRODUCTION: Saviour Technical Stretcher
TheSaviourTechnicalStretcherisarapidresponsestretcher
to evacuate casualties safely from hazardous areas. Provision
ismadeforuptosixpersonscarryingandtwoHeadHaul
Eyelets which can be used in conjunction with the lifting
harnessor dragstraps,forverticalliftingand lowering,as
well as dragging or hauling along evacuation routes. The
Saviour Technical may also be lifted horizontally using a
suitable lifting strop arrangement. The Saviour Technical
maybeplaceddirectly intoasuitablebasket stretcherfor
onward patient transportation if required.  Users must be
trained and competent in accepted standards and rescue
procedures.
TheSaviourTechnicalmaybeusedtotransportthecasualty
throughout the treatment journey, into the A&E and
onwards,asitisx-raytranslucentandCTfriendly.Studyhas
also shown that during the treatment journey the Saviour
Technical stretcher performs as an eective pelvic splint
when tightened fully.
Manufactured from materials suitable for harsh
environments the Saviour Technical will not deteriorate
duringstoragebut should notbesubjectedtoprolonged
exposure(weeksnothours)tostrongsunlight.Subjectto
the recommended inspection and cleaning the Saviour
Technical’sskinandxings willhavea10yearservicelife.
Straps have a service life of 5 years and may be replaced
bytheuserorreturnedtothemanufacturer/distributorfor
refurbishment.
The contents of this manual should be read and
fully understood before use.
Incorrect use will reduce the
service life of the stretcher
and may endanger the casualty.

1
2
4
3
5
6
2a
7
6a 7a
1a
3a
4a
5a
11
12
9
8 – CLOSED
13
IDENTIFICATION OF PARTS LIST
Non-replaceableitems
A. MAINSKIN
B. INNERSKIN
Replaceablestraps:
1. Chest strap
– closure side with handle
1a. Chest strap
– buckle side with handle
2. Waist strap
– closure side
2a. Waist strap
– buckle side
3. Hip strap
– closure side with handle
3a. Hip strap
– buckle side with handle
4. Foot loop
– closure side
4a. Foot loop
– buckle side
5. Leg strap
– closure side with handle
5a. Leg strap
– buckle side with handle
6. Left shoulder strap
– closure side
6a. Left shoulder strap
– buckle side
7. Right shoulder strap
– closure side
7a. Right shoulder strap
– buckle side
Otherreplaceableitems:
8. Head Hugger
9. Chin strap
10. Top drag harness
11. Bottom drag harness
12. Closure strap
13. Inner skin retainer
14a Stretcher carry bag
– tube type
14b Stretcher carry bag
– rucksack type
KEY TO PARTS LIST:
A
B
10
8 – OPEN OPTIONAL EAR
CUTOUTS IN HEAD
HUGGER

SaviourTechnicalStretcher:GENERAL NOTES FOR PACKAGING AND STRAPPING
Below are listed the important points to be considered before packaging and strapping the
casualty.Thefollowingthreepagescontainillustratedguidesofthesequencesforpackagingand
strappingacasualtyintotheSaviourTechnicalstretcher.
Any injuries present MUST be taken into account before packaging and transporting
a casualty. If neck injuries are present, or suspected, a Cervical collar MUST be used.
Medical devices should be tted by a suitably qualied person.
Pointstoremember:
• Counterbendingeachendofthestretcherwillallowittolayatafterremovingfrombag.
• Makesureallstrapsarelaidouttothesidesandnonearetrappedunderneath.
• Followtheinstructionsoftheteamleaderorrstaiderwhenrollingthecasualtyontothe 
stretcher.
• Followstrappingsequenceasdescribed.
• Do not t the chin strap unless a Cervical Collar has been tted.
There is a danger of strangulation if tted without a collar present.
• Whentighteningthestrapsgraspthebuckleendinonehandand‘pullandpush’totighten 
 thestrapssothecasualtyisnotrolledabout.DonotovertightenChestStrapasthismay 
 compromisethecasualtiesbreathing.
• TheWaiststrapmaybeusedtosecurethearmsofthecasualtyifrequired.
• Onceallstrapshavebeentightenedcheckthemallagaintoensurethatthecasualty
 issecure.ItisimportanttocheckthattheLegLoopissecureafterthebodystrapsare  
tightened.
• Tuckinalllooseendstopreventthecarrypartyfromtrippingoverduringtransporting.

Figure1 Figure2
SaviourTechnicalStretcher: CASUALTY PACKAGING SEQUENCE
Note: Anyinjuriespresentmustbetakenintoaccount
 whenpackaging.
StretcherLoading:
• Allcarryhandles 200kg
• Closurestrapsandbuckles 200kg
• Headhauleyelet 200kg
• Footloop 100kg
• Headhaulstrop 15kN
•Overall stretcher rating 200kg
Packagingthecasualty:
• Removethestretcherfromthecarrybaganduncliptheclosurestrap.
• Unrollthestretcher,foldingitbackonitselfsothatitliesatalongside
the casualty.
•Lay the stretcher beside the casualty with the head hugger slightly
 higherthanthecasualty’shead,makingsureallthestrapsareclear,
(see Figure. 1).
•Log roll the casualty onto the stretcher. Slide the casualty diagonally
 upsothattheyarecentralonthestretcher,withthecasualty’shead
centred on the head hugger. (see Figure. 2).

Figure3
Figure4
Figure5
Figure6
SaviourTechnicalStretcher: CASUALTY STRAPPING SEQUENCE
Note: Anyinjuriespresentmustbetakenintoaccount
 whenstrapping.
Strappingthecasualty:
1.FastenandtightentheCheststraprst.Passthe
 strapsacrossthechest,keepingthecasualty’s
arms out. The carry handles should be located
 underthecasualty’sarmsasshownonFigure3.
2.Next,fastenandtightentheWaiststrapasshown
 onFigure4.
4.Usethefootlooptoformagureofeightaround
 thefeetasshownonFigure6.Paddingaroundthe
 anklesandlegsshouldbeaddedifrequired.
Strappingthecasualty:
3.NextfastenandtightentheHipstrap.Foran
 unconsciouscasualty,theirhandsmayeitherbe
 securedintheirclothingortiedinplaceusingthe
 looseendofthehipstrapasshownonFigure5.

Figure7
Figure8
Figure9
Figure10
Figure11
7.Thensecurethestrapoverthecasualty’sright
 shoulder.Proceedtotightenupbothshoulder
 strapsrememberingnottooverlytightenand
restrict the casualty’s ability to breathe.
5.Oncethegureofeightiscomplete,securethe
 nalcrossstrap.Thisshouldbesecuredwhereit
 liesontopofthefootloopasshownonFigure7.
6.Nowfastenthediagonalstrapsacrossthechest.
 Securethestrapoverthecasualty’sleftshoulder
 rst.
8.Foldupthethreesidesoftheheadhuggerand
 secureusingthevelcrostrapabovetheforehead.
 Securethetoppaneltothesideswiththevelcro
 tabs.DONOTusethechinstrapifacollarisnot
 used(asshownonFigure10)asthiscanchokethe
casualty.
9.Ifacollarisbeingused,attachthevelcrochinstrap
across the collar and to the head hugger as shown
 onFigure11.

Belowarelistedtheimportantpointstobeconsideredbeforetransportingthecasualty.
Thefollowingtwopagescontainillustratedguidesshowingthemethodsoftransporting
a casualty in the Saviour Technical stretcher.
Any injuries present MUST be taken into account before packaging and transporting
a casualty. If neck injuries are present, or suspected, a Cervical collar MUST be used.
Medical devices should be tted by a suitably qualied person.
Pointstoremember:
•Counterbendingeachendofthestretcherwillallowittolayatafterremovingfrombag.
•Dependingontheweightofthecasualty4to6personsarerequiredtoensureaecientcarry.
•Selectateamleaderorrstaidertoissueallinstructionstoeectasmoothtransport.
•Electateammembertobethe‘casualtiesfriend’(preferablyarstaiderifinjuriesareinvolved) 
 whosejobitistomakesurethecasualtyisnotdistressedduringtheevacuation.
•Choseaevacuationroutebeforecommencing(planahead).Ifthereareunavoidableobstacles 
 extrarescuersmaybeplacedinreadinesstohelpthemaincarryparty.
•Ifpossibleselectateamofsimilarheighttokeepthecasualtylevel.Itispreferabletokeepthe 
 casualtyslightlyheadup.Whentravellingdownslopecarrythecasualtyfeetrst.
 Whencarryingupslopecarrythecasualtyheadrst.
•TheSaviourTechnicalstretcherhasalowco-ecientoffrictionandmustbesecuredatalltimes 
 whenonslopesoritmayslideundertheweightofthecasualty.Thisisbesteectedbyttingthe
 liftingstropsintotheheadhauleyeletsandattachingasuitablerope(recommendedtobeat
 leastClassAEN1891semistatic)Therescuersecuringthestretchermustbesecuretoprevent 
 accidentalslipping.Thisisespeciallyimportantonsteepslopes.
•TheFootStrapmustnotbeusedtoliftthestretcher.Itistoguidethestretcherwhennegotiating
 slopesorpastobstacles.
•Whendraggingacasualtyrememberthatthestretcherisarelativelythinskinsochoosetheroute
with care.
•Whenevacuatingupordownasteepslopeaheadropeshouldbeuseddeployedfromasuitably
 securedhaulteam.Rescuersmayliftthestretcherwhilstthehaulpartyundertakesaco-ordinated
 haul(orlower)toensureasmoothpassage.Onsteepslopesthesecurityoftheindividualrescuers
must be addressed.
•If the Saviour Technical stretcher is vertically lifted or lowered then it is recommended that the
 casualtyissecuredbyaseparatelifelinethatisbelayedseparatelytothehaulrope.Toattachthe 
 lifelinetothecasualtyitisrecommendedthatiscorrectlyattachedtoafullbodyharnessttedto
 thecasualty.Donotuseanyotherpartorcomponentofthestretchertoattachasecuritylifeline.
•TheSaviourTechnicalstretcher,withacasualtyinplace,maybetteddirectlyintoasuitable 
 basketstretcherwithoutdecantingthecasualty.
The life, security and safety of the casualty is in the hands of the rescue team and all steps
must be taken that a safe evacuation is achieved.
SaviourTechnicalStretcher:NOTES ON TRANSPORTING THE CASUALTY

SaviourTechnicalStretcher: CARRYING THE CASUALTY
Forward Drag
Reverse Pull
2 (or 4) man pole carry for long distance carrying 4 man side to side pole carry for heavy casualties
2 man carry 4 man carry
direction of travel direction of travel
direction of travel direction of travel
direction of travel
SaviourTechnicalStretcher: USE OF THE DRAG HARNESS
Therearetwodragharnesses,one
at the head end and one at the foot
end.Onremovingtheprotective
sheath,atapeloopisreleasedthatis
permanentlyattachedthroughmetal
eyelets on the stretcher.
Placingtheloopovertheheadand
around the shoulders will allow the
rescuertodragorpullthecasualtyin
the required direction while having
their hands free to carry out other
duties.
Thesamedraggingorpulling
technique is used when moving the
casualtyheadorfeetrst.

SaviourTechnicalStretcher:HORIZONTAL HAUL
The Saviour Technical
stretcherisratedat200Kg
for horizontal hauling via the
four eyelets on the sides of
the stretcher.
Once the casualty is fully
secured into the Saviour
Technicalstretcher,connect
theliftingstroptothe
stretcher eyes. If using the
standardxedlengthlifting
strop,makesurethatthe
coloured indicator on the
stropstrapmatchesthe
eyelet colour.
Usingthestandardxed
lengthliftingstropwill
produceaheadupattitude
on the stretcher during
horizontal hauling.
Using the adjustable length
liftingstrop(optionalextra),
innitepositionsarepossible
fromheaddown,through
horizontaltoheadup
attitudes.
The eyelets can also
be connected to other
independentwinching
systemssuchashelicopter,
xedplatformsetc.
optional adjustable strops
head UP
Horizontal
head DOWN
adjustment buckles

SaviourTechnicalStretcher:VERTICAL HAUL
SaviourTechnicalStretcher:IN WATER
The Saviour Technical stretcher is
ratedat200Kgforverticallifting
fromthetopeyeletsusingasuitable
strop.Asthisonlyeectsasingle
pointofcontactwiththecasualty,
a second safety line secured to the
casualty is always recommended.
Inordertomaketheverticalhaul
easier,itisalsorecommendedthat
theupperdragharnessberemoved
from the stretcher to allow easy
attachmentofthestrops.Thelower
drag harness can be used to stabilise
the stretcher during vertical hauling
if required.
Beingneutrallybuoyant,theSaviour
Technicalstretcheroatswithout
assistance.
Acasualtycanbeplacedinthe
Saviour Technical stretcher with a
lifejacketttedandthenswum/
towedtothepointofrescueusing
thedragharness.Casualtiescanalso
beputintotheSaviourTechnical
stretcherinthewater,(aslongasthe
seaiscalmenough),andalifejacket
isttedrst.Thiswouldbeideal
forspinalcasualtyrecoveryincalm
water.

SaviourTechnicalStretcher:MAINTENANCE
The Saviour Technical stretcher is made from materials which will not corrode in most
 harshenvironmentsbutmaybesubjectedtodamageorwearandtearduringpractices
and use.
 Itisrecommendedthataftereachuseoratintervalsofnotmorethansixmonthsthe
 unitisinspectedbyacompetentpersonandtheresultsrecorded.Eachunithasaunique 
serial number.
•Checktheouterskinfortearsorwornpatches.
•Checktheslotsintheskinthatattachthestrapsandcarryhandlesforsplits.
•CheckthereisnodistortiontotheskinaroundtheHeadHaulEyelet.
•Checktheedgesoftheskinfortearsorsplits.
•Checkallstrapsandcarryhandlesforcutsorwear.Takeparticularnoticeofthestraparea 
 aroundbuckles.Ifcutsorfrayingispresentquarantinethestretcherandreplacestrap(s).
•CheckHeadHaulstropisnotworn,cutorfrayed.
•CheckthattheVelcrofastenersarecleanandsecurecorrectly.
•ChecktheCarrybagisnotdamagedandtheattachmentandclosureVelcrostrapsarein 
good order.
•Checkallcomponentsarepresentbeforere-packingintocarrybag.
Notes.
 Theouterskinwillscratchandshowsignsofwearafteruse.
 Thestretchershouldnotbeusediftheskinispenetratedorwornthrough.
 Allstrapscanbereplacedbytheuser.
The drag harness may be worn if the stretcher is dragged over rough ground.
 Thedragharnessmustalwaysbeinrstclasscondition.Ifindoubtreplace.
 Ifsplitsaroundtheslotsthatattachthecarryhandlesandstrapsarelongerthan
 2mmtheunitshouldbewithdrawnfromserviceimmediately.
 DistortionaroundtheHeadHaulEyeletwillonlybeseeniftheunitissubjectedto
 aheavyload(suchasaarrestedfall).Iftheskinisdistortedorpenetratedtheunit
should withdrawn from service immediately.
 Theedgeoftheskinmaybecomescuedduringuse.
If in doubt return to the manufacturer for refurbishment.
If in any doubt about the integrity of the stretcher return or refer to the
manufacturer/distributor.

SaviourTechnicalStretcher:CLEANING AND STORING
• Thestretchershouldbestored,aftercleaningandinspection,intheCarrybagprovided.
•It is recommended that a tagging system is used to ensure that a stored unit has been
 cleanedandinspectedsincelastuse.
• Itisrecommendedthatthestretcherisinspectedatintervalsnotexceedingsixmonths.
•The stretcher should thoroughly rinsed in cold fresh water after every use.
 Amilddetergentmaybeusedifrinsedafterwards.
• ALOWpressurepowerwashermaybeused(withcare)toremovemudorsand.
 Ifcontaminatedbybodyuidsthestretcherandstrapsshouldbetreatedwithanon 
 corrosivedisinfectantfollowingthemakersinstructionsandthenthoroughlyrinsed
in fresh water before storing.
• Ifthestretcherandstrapsarecontaminatedwithfuelorchemicalsthestrapsanddrag 
 harnessshouldbereplacedbeforere-using.

a division of Publication reference: BLKTECMan-001 Version 1