STOKES STRETCHERThe Navy service litter most commonly used fortransporting sick or injured persons is called the Stokesstretcher (fig. 14-22). The Stokes stretcher is a wirebasket supported by iron or aluminum rods. It’sadaptable to a variety of uses, since the victim can beheld securely in place, even if the stretcher is tipped orturned. The Stokes stretcher is particularly valuable fortransferring injured persons to and from boats. It is alsoused for direct ship-to-ship transfer of injured persons.NEIL ROBERTSON STRETCHERThe Neil Robertson stretcher is designed forremoving an injured person from engine-room spaces,holds, and other compartments where access hatchesare too small to permit the use of regular stretchers.The Neil Robertson stretcher is made of semirigidcanvas. When firmly wrapped around the victimmummy-fashion, it gives sufficient support so thevictim may be lifted vertically (fig. 14-23). To keep theinjured person from swaying against bulkheads andhatchways while being lifted, tie a guideline to thevictim’s ankles.Stretchers of this type can be made on board shipand kept in appropriate places ready for use. If a NeilRobertson stretcher is not available when needed, apiece of heavy canvas, wrapped firmly around thevictim, will serve somewhat the same purpose.EMERGENCY RESCUE LINESAn emergency rescue line can be made from anystrong fiber line. These lines should be used only inextreme emergencies when an injured person must bemoved and no other means is available.Figure 14-24 shows an emergency rescue line thatcould be used to hoist a person from a void or smallcompartment. Notice that a running bowline is passedaround the body, just below the hips, and a half hitch justunder the arms. Again, a guideline is tied to the victim’sankles.14-28Student Notes:Figure 14-22.—Stokes stretcher.Figure 14-23.—Neil Robertson stretcher.
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