STOKES STRETCHER
The Navy service litter most commonly used for
transporting sick or injured persons is called the Stokes
stretcher (fig. 14-22). The Stokes stretcher is a wire
basket supported by iron or aluminum rods. It’s
adaptable to a variety of uses, since the victim can be
held securely in place, even if the stretcher is tipped or
turned. The Stokes stretcher is particularly valuable for
transferring injured persons to and from boats. It is also
used for direct ship-to-ship transfer of injured persons.
NEIL ROBERTSON STRETCHER
The Neil Robertson stretcher is designed for
removing an injured person from engine-room spaces,
holds, and other compartments where access hatches
are too small to permit the use of regular stretchers.
The Neil Robertson stretcher is made of semirigid
canvas. When firmly wrapped around the victim
mummy-fashion, it gives sufficient support so the
victim may be lifted vertically (fig. 14-23). To keep the
injured person from swaying against bulkheads and
hatchways while being lifted, tie a guideline to the
victim’s ankles.
Stretchers of this type can be made on board ship
and kept in appropriate places ready for use. If a Neil
Robertson stretcher is not available when needed, a
piece of heavy canvas, wrapped firmly around the
victim, will serve somewhat the same purpose.
EMERGENCY RESCUE LINES
An emergency rescue line can be made from any
strong fiber line. These lines should be used only in
extreme emergencies when an injured person must be
moved and no other means is available.
Figure 14-24 shows an emergency rescue line that
could be used to hoist a person from a void or small
compartment. Notice that a running bowline is passed
around the body, just below the hips, and a half hitch just
under the arms. Again, a guideline is tied to the victim’s
ankles.
14-28
Student Notes:
Figure 14-22.—Stokes stretcher.
Figure 14-23.—Neil Robertson stretcher.
