Two men can support or carry a casualty without equipment for only
short distances. By using available materials to improvise equipment,
the casualty can be transported greater distances by two or more
rescuers.
a. There are times when a casualty may have to be moved
and a standard litter is not available. The distance may be too great
for manual carries or the casualty may have an injury, such as a
fractured neck, back, hip, or thigh that would be aggravated by
manual transportation. In these situations, litters can be improvised
from certain materials at hand. Improvised litters are emergency
measures and must be replaced by standard litters at the first
opportunity to ensure the comfort and safety of the casualty.
b. Many different types of litters can be improvised,
depending upon the materials available. Satisfactory litters can be
made by securing poles inside such items as blankets, ponchos,
shelter halves, tarpaulins, jackets, shirts, sacks, bags, and bed
tickings (fabric covers of mattresses). Poles can be improvised from
strong branches, tent supports, skis, and other like items. Most
flat-surface objects of suitable size can also be used as litters.
Such objects include boards, doors, window shutters, benches,
ladders, cots, and poles tied together. If possible, these objects
should be padded.
c. If no poles can be obtained, a large item such as a
blanket can be rolled from both sides toward the center. The rolls
then can be used to obtain a firm grip when carrying the casualty. If
a poncho is used, make sure the hood is up and under the casualty and
is not dragging on the ground.
d. The important thing to remember is that an improvised
litter must be well constructed to avoid the risk of dropping or
further injuring the casualty.
e. Improvised litters may be used when the distance may
be too long (far) for manual carries or the casualty has an injury
which may be aggravated by manual transportation.
f. Any of the appropriate carries may be used to place a
casualty on a litter. These carries are:
- The one-man arms carry (Figure
B-3).
- The two-man arms carry (Figure B-11).
- The two-man fore-and-aft carry (Figure
B-12).
- The two-hand seat carry (Figure
B-13).
- The four-hand seat carry (Figure
B-14).
WARNING
Unless there is an immediate life-threatening situation (such as
fire, explosion), DO NOT move the casualty with a suspected back
or neck injury. Seek medical personnel for
guidance on how to transport.
g. Either two or four soldiers (head/foot) may be used to
lift a litter. To lift the litter, follow the procedure below.
NOTE
Use caution when transporting on a sloping incline/hill.
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