EP3217935B1 - Stretcher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rescue stretcher for rescuing people from spatially confined areas, in particular for rescuing people at sea.

A large number of rescue stretchers are known from the prior art. Rescue stretchers regularly have a linkage or a tub, which give the rescue stretcher rigidity. This allows a person to be easily placed on the rescue stretcher and transported in a stable manner. In confined spaces, however, it may be impossible to store and move a fixed stretcher, which is typically more than 2 m in length and more than 50 cm in width. For example, in ships, especially in military ships, the space is often very limited, so that a conventional rescue stretcher cannot be used.

Flexible rescue stretchers are also known. These are designed like a cloth and are therefore flexible. These can be tightly packed, especially rolled up, and are therefore easy to store and transport. Such rescue stretchers are used, for example, in height rescue. To transport a person, they can then be rolled in the longitudinal direction halfway around the person to be rescued, so that the person is stabilized in the rescue stretcher. For this purpose, the rescue stretcher is fixed with a series of cross straps, which run, for example, over the chest, stomach and legs of the person. Such rescue stretchers regularly have six handles, one on the right and one on the left in the shoulder area, in the middle and at the foot end. This means that six rescuers can easily carry the person in the rescue stretcher. For this, however, it is necessary that the rescuers find space to the right and left of the rescue stretcher.

When rescuing a person from a ship, in particular from a submarine, it is regularly necessary to evacuate this person quickly. Usually such a person is evacuated by helicopter to another ship with a corresponding medical facility or to a hospital on land. For this it is necessary to get the person off board the ship on board the helicopter. For ships that don't If helicopters can land, e.g. submarines, evacuation must be carried out by means of a winch on the rope.

From the U.S. 2,899,692 A discloses a rescue stretcher with inflatable bags.

The object of the invention is to create a rescue stretcher which enables a person to be rescued quickly from a spatially confined environment, in particular at sea. In particular, it is the object of the invention to create a rescue stretcher which ensures the safety of the person and stabilizes this person as much as possible in order to prevent further injuries.

The object is achieved by a rescue stretcher with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

The rescue stretcher according to the invention can be rolled up. This means that the rescue stretcher can also be transported through narrow spaces, for example bulkheads. The rescue stretcher has at least two straps for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher. The straps for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher are arranged such that the straps are attached above a first area, the first area being designed to receive the shoulders of the person on the rescue stretcher. The straps prevent the person from slipping in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher on the rescue stretcher. Slipping can lead to further injuries, especially if a spinal injury is present or is feared. On the other hand, slipping of the person would change the weight distribution on the rescue stretcher, which can also endanger the person and possibly also endanger the rescuer. A deployable buoyancy device is attached to the rescue stretcher. An unfoldable buoyancy device generates buoyancy in the unfolded state in order to prevent the person from drowning. Examples of deployable buoyancy devices are inflatable Life jackets, inflatable floats or deployable life rafts. In the simplest case, it is unfolded by inflation or air intake. The deployable buoyancy device is attached to the rescue stretcher in a second area, the second area being designed to accommodate the neck of a person, and the deployable buoyancy device being designed as a hose when not yet deployed. This has the advantage that the deployable buoyancy device can be easily integrated into the rescue stretcher. The tubular, unfoldable buoyancy device is advantageously arranged in such a way that the person's neck comes to rest on the buoyancy device approximately in the middle. This has the great advantage that a person does not have to wear a life jacket in addition, which may not be possible if this person wears a corresponding cuff on the neck due to a possible injury in the neck area. The deployable buoyancy device is connected in the second area, possibly also in a third area, the third area being designed to accommodate the shoulders, with the straps for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction. This ensures the safe position of the buoyancy device in the area of the head of the person, without the need for additional hand movements during the rescue, on the other hand, there is no additional burden on the person, whereby an additional deterioration in the state of health is reduced to a minimum. The buoyancy device is arranged in such a way that the buoyancy device rests directly on a person lying on the rescue stretcher. This is ensured because the straps for fixing a person lie against the person in the longitudinal direction and the buoyancy device is connected to the straps for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction.

For the purposes of this invention, tubular is to be understood as meaning any elongated and movable shape, tubular also expressly encompassing shapes that are not hollow or hollowed out on the inside.

It is particularly advantageous that the rescue stretcher according to the invention can be used not only for transporting a person, but also for storing a person. Storage may be necessary, for example, if, for example, between rescuing the person and the Further transport, for example, has to wait for an ambulance, such as a helicopter, to arrive. In submarines in particular, the positioning of an injured person can be a problem. On board a submarine, an injured person is usually placed on the dining table in the mess and held there by wooden strips about 3 cm high. If the submarine rolls, the injured person may fall. After the person has been rescued in the rescue stretcher according to the invention, the person can remain in the rescue stretcher and can thus be safely stored, for example, in the mess, or taken care of if necessary. For this purpose, the rescue stretcher according to the invention is particularly preferably fastened to the ceiling of the ship's hold, for example the mess, by means of ropes or other fastening means.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher can be integrated into a further rigid rescue stretcher. Rescue vehicles such as ambulances or helicopters typically have a rigid stretcher. This rigid rescue stretcher is required to securely connect the stretcher to the rescue vehicle. The rigid rescue stretcher here is a conventional rigid rescue stretcher, which in particular does not have to have an expandable buoyancy device and usually does not have it. In order to burden a person on the rescue stretcher as little as possible by repositioning, this person is placed on the rigid rescue stretcher together with the rescue stretcher according to the invention and fixed there. For this purpose, the rescue stretcher according to the invention preferably has elements with which the rescue stretcher can be fixed to the rigid rescue stretcher.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher has a footrest, the footrest being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher. A footbridge is suitable to additionally stabilize the person on the stretcher, especially if the rescue stretcher is used at an angle or vertically. This is advantageous, for example, if the person is to be brought into the open through the tower of a submarine and then to be picked up by a helicopter. In addition to the straps, the footrest ensures that the person is stabilized on the rescue stretcher.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher has rod-shaped or plate-shaped stiffening elements. The stiffening elements are aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher. The advantage of this embodiment is that, on the one hand, the rescue stretcher can be rolled up very easily in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the stiffening elements prevent rolling up in the longitudinal direction as soon as the rescue stretcher is rolled up to the person in the transverse direction and stabilizes them. Particularly in the case of vertical transport or transport on a rope, for example when being picked up in a hovering helicopter, this leads to a stabilization of the person's position. The more stable the person is fixed in the rescue stretcher, the less likely it is that the person's state of health will deteriorate further.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ends of the tubular, unfoldable buoyancy device can be connected in front of the person's chest. Since the deployable buoyancy device is connected in the second area with the straps for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction, the ends come to rest in the chest or stomach area of a person lying on the rescue stretcher. These can easily be connected to one another, for example with a click lock or a carabiner, without placing additional stress on the person. As a result of the connection, the effect of the buoyancy device is improved in the unfolded state, the buoyancy is optimized in particular in the head area of the person. This is the most effective way of preventing drowning.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher has handles at the head end and at the foot end. By the person fixed on the rescue stretcher, the rescue stretcher is sufficiently stabilized in the longitudinal direction that it can be carried by two people, one at the head end and one at the foot end. Although this is disadvantageous compared to the conventional way of carrying six rescuers, it enables a person to be transported even in spatially confined areas where there is no space for people next to a rescue stretcher. In particularly confined spaces, the stretcher can also be pulled across the floor by just one person. The rescue stretcher also particularly preferably has this Stiffening elements, since so a stabilization of a person is achieved, even if this is pulled by only one person.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher has transverse straps for securing the person. The rescue stretcher preferably has two to twelve transverse straps, particularly preferably four to six transverse straps. The cross straps are arranged in such a way that the rescue stretcher rolls around the person. The transverse straps are preferably designed in such a way that the length is variable in order to enable the person to be securely fixed regardless of the person's size.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the expandable buoyancy device has a chest strap. The chest strap is connected to a cross strap on the rescue stretcher. A chest strap particularly reliably prevents the buoyancy device from changing position in the unfolded state and in contact with water, in particular from slipping over the head of the person. An additional fastening of an additional chest strap would represent an additional burden for the person. Therefore, the chest strap is connected to a cross strap. This keeps the overall exposure to the person to a minimum.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the unfoldable buoyancy device has tetrahedral buoyancy bodies in the chest area of a person lying on the rescue stretcher in the unfolded state. Tetrahedral floats have proven to be particularly safe in the area of life jackets and prevent smaller waves from washing over the head of the person in the rescue stretcher.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher has a plurality of loops arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher. The loops are arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the rescue stretcher. The expandable buoyancy device can be attached to a loop by means of a Velcro fastener. This allows the unfoldable Buoyancy device can be quickly and easily moved in height, for example before a particularly large or particularly small person is to be placed on the rescue stretcher.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the deployable buoyancy device is self-deploying upon contact with water. Since the person to be rescued should normally not come into contact with water, it is not necessary, but rather a hindrance, to deploy the buoyancy device after the person has been fixed on the rescue stretcher. However, since the person is fixed and possibly unconscious, it is not possible for the person to deploy the buoyancy device as soon as it unexpectedly enters the water. In the case of automatic unfolding, forces act on the person which can cause a deterioration in the state of health, but drowning of the person must be prevented at all costs.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the unfoldable buoyancy device has a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being unfolded first during unfolding and the second sector being staggered in time. For example, the sector on the right of the person is unfolded first, followed by the sector on the left of the person with a time lag. The advantage of this embodiment is that the person is in the supine position and thus with the face upwards.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rescue stretcher can be rolled up in the longitudinal direction. This enables a compact pack and the rescue stretcher can be quickly unrolled in an emergency and thus made ready for use.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rolled-up rescue stretcher forms a rucksack. This allows the rescue stretcher to be easily transported when rolled up.

Figur 1:

schematische Rückansicht einer Rettungstrage

Figur 2:

schematische Aufsicht auf eine Rettungstrage

Figur 3:

schematischer Querschnitt entlang A-A

The rescue stretcher according to the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

Figure 1:

schematic rear view of a rescue stretcher

Figure 2:

schematic top view of a rescue stretcher

Figure 3:

schematic cross section along AA

In Figure 1 an exemplary embodiment of a rescue stretcher 10 according to the invention is shown. The rescue stretcher 10 has handles made of webbing 20, these preferably running in the handle area through a plastic tube, particularly preferably a fabric tube. The advantage of a hose in the grip area is the round shape of the hose, which can be gripped easily and safely without the belt stressing the rescuer's hands at certain points. The belt strap 22 is sewn to the rescue stretcher 10. Sewing is preferably carried out in the Figure 1 represented form. The belt is continuous on the side facing the middle of the stretcher, the other two ends are sewn to the rescue stretcher 10 in such a way that they impinge approximately in the middle of the continuous webbing and are sewn to it here. This ensures a particularly efficient transmission of force from the handle 20 via the belt to the rescue stretcher 10 and prevents the handles from the strap 20 from being torn off or the rescue stretcher from being damaged. Furthermore, a further belt strap is sewn to the rescue stretcher in the area for receiving the chest area of a person, and has buckles 30. If a person is placed on the rescue stretcher 10, the buckles 30 are connected to one another. As a result, the rescue stretcher 10 is rolled sideways around the person and thus stabilizes the person.

In Figure 2 the rescue stretcher 10 is shown schematically in plan view. On the rescue stretcher 10 a deployable buoyancy device 50 is attached, which has an adjustable Fastening 54 is connected to the rescue stretcher 10 in a height-adjustable manner via a fastening strap 40. The adjustable fastening 54 is designed, for example, in the form of a Velcro tape. As a result, the position of the deployable buoyancy device can be easily and quickly adapted to the body size of a person who is to be placed on the rescue stretcher 10. The deployable buoyancy device 50 can be closed by means of closures 52 in front of the chest of a person who is placed on the rescue stretcher 10 and thus fixed in the correct position. The deployable buoyancy device 50 is also connected to the rescue stretcher 10 via the buckles 30, with the length being able to be adapted to the chest circumference of a person lying on the rescue stretcher 10 via the belt strap 56 on the buckle 30. Furthermore, the rescue stretcher 10 has two shoulder straps 60, only part of the one shoulder strap 60 being shown in the sketch. In the present embodiment, a shoulder strap 60 is a strap for fixing a person in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher. The shoulder strap 60 is connected to the deployable buoyancy device 50 at the seam 58. This ensures the correct seating of the deployable buoyancy device 50, since a person lying on the rescue stretcher 10 is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the rescue stretcher 10 by the shoulder straps 60. The deployable buoyancy device 10 is designed in the form of a hose and is preferably fastened to the rescue stretcher 10 in a U-shape, as shown.

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section along the line AA according to FIG Figure 3 . The rescue stretcher 10 has an upper layer 70 and a lower layer 78. The upper layer 70 is made in such a way that it can be cleaned easily, since an injured person comes to lie on the upper layer 70 when using the rescue stretcher 10. The lower layer 78 is designed to be particularly tear-resistant, since the lower layer 78 may be dragged across the floor during transport, particularly in confined areas. The upper layer 70 and the lower layer 78 can also consist of the same material, provided that this material fulfills both requirements. An inner pocket 74 is located between the upper layer 70 and the lower layer 78. A stiffening element 76 is located between the inner pocket 74 and the lower layer 78. The stiffening element 76 is, for example, a plastic plate with a thickness between 0.2 and 10 mm. The stiffening element 76 can, for example, from Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytretafluoroethylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer exist. It is particularly preferable for all of the belt straps 72 to be sewn between the upper layer 70 and the inner pocket 74. This makes it possible to guide the belt straps 72, which neither rests on the upper layer 70, where they can be uncomfortable for a person lying on the rescue stretcher 10 or make cleaning of the upper layer 70 difficult, nor rests on the lower layer 78, as a result of which pulling the rescue stretcher 10 over the ground or in particular by a bulkhead is not made difficult. Furthermore, a particularly efficient transmission of force between belt strap 72 and rescue stretcher 10 is possible in this way.

Reference number:

10

Rescue stretcher

20th

Webbing handle

22nd

sewn webbing

30th

buckle

40

Fastening tab

50

Deployable buoyancy device

52

Clasp

54

adjustable fastening

56

Webbing

58

Seam

60

Shoulder strap

70

upper layer

72

Webbing

74

Inside pocket

76

Stiffening element

78

lower layer

Claims (13)

1. A stretcher (10), wherein the stretcher (10) can be rolled up, wherein the stretcher (10) comprises at least two straps for securing a person in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (10), wherein the straps for securing a person in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (10) are arranged such that the straps are fastened above a first region, wherein the first region is designed to accommodate the shoulders of the person on the stretcher (10), characterized in that a deployable buoyancy device (50) is mounted on the stretcher (10), wherein the deployable buoyancy device (50) is fastened in a second region on the stretcher (10), wherein the second region is designed to accommodate a person's neck, and wherein the deployable buoyancy device (50) is of a tubular configuration, wherein the deployable buoyancy device (50) is connected in such a way in the second region to the straps for securing a person in the longitudinal direction, wherein the buoyancy device (50) is arranged such that the buoyancy device (50) lies directly against a person lying on the stretcher (10).
2. The stretcher (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stretcher (10) comprises a foot plate, wherein the foot plate is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher.
3. The stretcher (10) as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher (10) comprises rod-shaped or plate-shaped stiffening elements (76), wherein the stiffening elements (76) are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (10).
4. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of the tubular deployable buoyancy device (50) are connectable in front of the chest of a person lying on the stretcher (10).
5. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher (10) comprises handles (20) at the head end and at the foot end.
6. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher (10) comprises transverse belts for securing the person.
7. The stretcher (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the deployable buoyancy device (50) comprises a chest belt, wherein the chest belt is connected to a transverse belt of the stretcher (10).
8. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployable buoyancy device (50), in the chest region of a person lying on the stretcher (10), comprises tetrahedral buoyancy bodies in the deployed state.
9. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher (10) comprises several loops arranged in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (10), wherein the loops are arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the stretcher (10), and the deployable buoyancy device (50) can be fastened to a loop by means of a Velcro-type closure piece.
10. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployable buoyancy device (50) self-deploys upon contact with water.
11. The stretcher (10) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the deployable buoyancy device (50) comprises a first sector and a second sector, wherein the first sector is deployed first during the deployment, and the second sector is deployed subsequently thereto.
12. The stretcher (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher (10) can be rolled up in the longitudinal direction.
13. The stretcher (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the rolled-up stretcher (10) forms a backpack.

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