Extrication linked to evacuation sirens is the process of freeing casualties who are trapped or entangled in a vehicle or collapsed structure and cannot free themselves. Provide as much support as possible to the casualty during extrication, whenever possible, give essential first aid and immobilize the injuries before the casualty is moved.
This stretcher is similar to the Neil Robertson stretcher and is used for the same purposes. However, it is lighter, less cumbersome and more durable than the Neil Robertson and can be folded up and carried on the back. The main advantage of the paraguard stretcher and evacuation sirens is that it will bend in the middle so you can negotiate obstacles.
When there is an immediate danger and you are alone and must move a casualty from a sitting position, proceed as follows: Disentangle the casualty’s feet from the wreckage and bring the feet toward the exit. Ease your forearm under the casualty’s armpit on the exit side, extending your hand to support the chin. Ease the casualty’s head gently backward to rest on your shoulder while keeping the neck as rigid as possible.
Ease your other forearm under the armpit on the opposite side and hold the wrist of the casualty’s arm which is nearest the exit. Establish a firm footing and swing around with the person, keeping as much rigidity in the neck as possible. Drag the casualty from the vehicle with as little twisting as possible. Once free of the vehicle lay the casualty face up and use a drag carry to drag the casualty to safety thanks to evacuation sirens.
Two rescuers alerted by evacuation sirens carry the chair, one at the front and one at the back. The rescuer at the back crouches and grasps the back of the chair, while the rescuer at the front crouches between the casualty’s knees and grasps the front chair legs near the floor.
Going downstairs – the casualty faces forward the front rescuer faces the casualty a third person should act as a guide and support the front rescuer in case he loses his footing. If the casualty is unconscious or helpless – place an unconscious casualty on a chair by sliding the hack of the chair under his legs and buttocks, strap his upper body and along the lower back.
Use the extremities carry when you do not have a chair and you do not suspect fractures of the trunk, head or spine. One rescuer passes his hands under the casualty’s armpits and grasps the casualty’s wrists, crossing them over his chest. The second rescuer crouches with his back between the casualty’s knees and grasps each leg just above the knee. The rescuers step off on opposite feet walking out-of-step is smoother for the casualty.
