A stretcher single fold is a type of portable patient transport device commonly used in hospitals, ambulances, and emergency rescue operations. It is specifically designed to carry patients who cannot walk or need to be moved safely without exertion or injury. The “single fold” design refers to the stretcher’s ability to fold once—usually at the center—making it compact for storage and transport.
Key Features of a Stretcher Single Fold
Here are the key features of a stretcher single fold in detail:
Single Fold Design
- The stretcher folds once at the center, typically along the length.
- This makes it compact and easy to store in ambulances, medical closets, or rescue vehicles.
- Folding is often assisted with locking mechanisms or hinges that ensure stability when in use and ease when folding.
Lightweight Frame
- Most single fold stretchers use aluminum alloy or mild steel for their frame.
- Aluminum is rust-resistant, durable, and light, which helps in quick and easy transport, even in tough terrain or emergencies.
- Frame may have powder coating to enhance corrosion resistance and appearance.
Stretcher Bed Material
- The bed or lying surface is typically made of:
- PVC-coated fabric, which is waterproof, anti-bacterial, and flame-retardant.
- Oxford cloth or synthetic leather, which are easy to clean and durable.
- Designed to resist tears, fluids, and stains, ensuring hygiene and patient safety.
Foldable or Fixed Handles
- Usually equipped with two or four handles (depending on model).
- Handles may be: Fixed: permanently extended, Foldable: can be pushed in or rotated to save space.
- Often have anti-slip rubber grips for a firm and safe hold by caregivers.
Patient Safety Straps
- Integrated straps or belts (usually adjustable) to secure the patient during movement.
- Prevents accidental rolling, sliding, or falling, especially when navigating stairs or uneven ground.
High Weight Capacity
- Typically supports 100–160 kg, depending on construction and materials.
- Reinforced frames can handle heavier loads without bending or warping.
Weather & Chemical Resistance
- Materials used are designed to withstand:
- Weather extremes (heat, rain, cold).
- Exposure to bodily fluids and disinfectants.
- Ideal for outdoor, field, or disaster use.
Easy Maintenance
- Smooth surfaces and synthetic fabrics make it easy to wipe down and disinfect.
- Fabric can often be removed or replaced if damaged.
Portability
- Lightweight and compact when folded, allowing one or two people to carry it.
- May include carrying bags or covers for safe storage and transport.
Uses of a Stretcher Single Fold in detail
Here are the detailed uses of a stretcher single fold in healthcare, emergency, and rescue scenarios:
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Widely used by paramedics and ambulance staff to transport injured or unconscious patients from accident scenes to ambulances.
- The lightweight and foldable design allows quick deployment in urgent situations such as road accidents, natural disasters, or fires.
- Can be easily carried through narrow or obstructed areas, where wheeled stretchers are impractical.
Hospital Patient Transport
- Used in hospitals and clinics to move non-ambulatory or bedridden patients between departments (e.g., from emergency to radiology).
- Often serves as a backup or auxiliary stretcher when wheeled trolleys are unavailable or for transporting patients short distances.
Military and Disaster Relief Operations
- Essential for battlefield evacuation, triage zones, and natural disaster areas.
- The compact foldable feature helps in quick deployment and mobility across rugged terrains or collapsed structures.
- Often carried by rescue or military teams on their backs in folded form, then unfolded to extract and carry injured individuals.
First Aid in Institutions and Workplaces
- Commonly placed in schools, colleges, factories, sports stadiums, and corporate buildings as part of first-aid and emergency response kits.
- Used to transport injured students, workers, or athletes to first-aid rooms or ambulances.
Outdoor Events and Sports Fields
- Deployed during sports events, marathons, or public gatherings where injury or collapse is possible.
- Medics use it to swiftly lift and evacuate injured individuals without causing additional harm.
Remote and Inaccessible Area Rescue
- Highly useful in hilly, forested, or remote regions where vehicle access is limited.
- Carried by hand by two or more rescuers to evacuate victims over long distances, rough trails, or stairs.
Temporary Patient Holding
- Can serve as a temporary lying platform for patients in overcrowded emergency rooms or during mass casualty incidents.
- Offers a stable and secure surface for administering first aid before moving to a permanent bed or stretcher trolley.
Disaster Management and Evacuation Drills
- Used during mock drills and training by civil defense, firefighting teams, and emergency responders to simulate real-life evacuations.
- Helps in preparing personnel to use compact and effective patient transport tools under pressure.
Benefits of a Stretcher Single Fold
Here are the detailed benefits of a stretcher single fold, highlighting its value in emergency response, hospital care, and rescue operations:
Portability and Easy Transport
- Lightweight and foldable, making it extremely easy to carry by hand or transport in vehicles.
- Ideal for tight spaces, stairwells, or rough terrain where wheeled stretchers can’t be used.
- Can be quickly unfolded and deployed at the site of injury or emergency.
Space-Saving Design
- The single fold mechanism allows the stretcher to collapse into a compact size.
- Saves storage space in ambulances, first aid rooms, hospitals, or emergency kits.
- Convenient for military, disaster relief, and field operations, where space is limited.
Quick Response in Emergencies
- Enables fast evacuation of injured or immobilized individuals.
- Easy for one or two people to operate, even in stressful or high-risk situations.
- Allows for minimal setup time, critical when every second counts (e.g., in mass casualty incidents).
Durable and Strong Construction
- Made of high-strength aluminum alloy or stainless steel, making it long-lasting and rust-resistant.
- Can support high weight loads (typically up to 160 kg), ensuring safety for most patients.
- Bed material is usually tear-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean.
Patient Safety and Comfort
- Comes with safety belts or straps to prevent the patient from rolling or falling during transport.
- Offers a stable platform for lying down, avoiding further injury during movement.
- Some models include padded surfaces for added comfort.
Low Maintenance
- Requires minimal maintenance—just regular cleaning and inspection.
- Non-porous and smooth surfaces allow for quick disinfection, crucial in healthcare and rescue environments.
- Fabric and frame materials are designed to withstand rough use and environmental exposure.
Versatility of Use
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor settings: hospitals, clinics, sports grounds, schools, military bases, disaster zones, and more.
- Can be used in civilian or defense sectors, by emergency responders, rescue teams, and healthcare workers.
- Often acts as a backup or auxiliary stretcher in various medical and non-medical settings.
Cost-Effective Solution
- More affordable than wheeled stretchers or advanced transport systems.
- Provides great value for temporary or emergency transport needs.
- Ideal for organizations with limited budgets but needing reliable patient transport tools.
