Once you have made your purchase you need to know how to use a Sked. The Sked® Stretcher delivers outstanding patient support and safety. However, it is NOT intended as a spinal immobilization device. If a spinal injury is assumed, secure the patient with an appropriate spinal immobilization device prior to placing them on the Sked stretcher. The Sked Stretcher will cater for long and short backboards, scoop stretchers, and most other immobilization apparatus. A backboard must be used in combination with the Sked Stretcher on casualties who have sustained injuries to the shoulder area.

Remember to never hang or suspend the sked stretcher by the grommets. Use the slings and lattices in the way you are instructed to use them and nothing more. The Sked Stretcher should be kept in its packing, as lengthy exposure to UV rays can damage all plastics. We provide several other components for our stretchers that can allow the Sked stretcher to be tailored to a whole host of situations you may find yourself in depending on which emergency service you work for or the situation of the emergency in question at the time. Confined space, high angle, rough terrain, military, and water saving are some of the uses. How to use a Sked in simple steps:

To open sked stretcher and lay flat

• Remove the sked from pack and position on ground.
• Unfasten retainer strap. Step on foot end of sked and unfold entirely to other end.
• Bend the stretcher over your forearm and back roll. Repeat with other end too. In cold weather, you need to reverse roll a couple of times.
• The stretcher should now lay flat.

To place a patient on the sked stretcher: pull method (feet first)

• Before dragging a patient onto the stretcher feet first. Curl the head end downwards to create a ramp which also prevents the snagging patient’s clothing.
• Tuck the webbing under the sked. grip the patient’s legs and drag patient while keeping legs low.
• Continue dragging the victim until his upper chest is even with the upper cross strap.
• Fasten all buckles and correct all straps in preparation for further movement.

To place a patient on the sked: pull method (head first)

• Curl the foot end of sked stretcher downwards to form a ramp and pull foot end straps to the side.
• Using your forearms to stop any lateral movement of patient’s head, hold the underarms and drag in line with the spine onto the stretcher.
• Continue dragging the patient until their upper chest is even with the upper cross strap.
• Fasten all the buckles and correct all straps in prep for further movement.

Fastening the belts and the buckles: cobra quick release buckles

Before loading up the stretcher, release all of the buckles and pull the straps to one side.

Lift up the sides of the stretcher and fasten the four cross straps to buckles immediately opposite to the straps and pull them so they’re tight.

Fasten the foot end buckles and further adjust the straps.

Remember to not criss-cross any straps on the stretcher. It will cause the Sked to twist in the middle causing further injury.

From here, you should be able to continue with the rest of the manoeuvres illustrated in your user manual to get the casualty to relative safety for further treatment and evacuation to the nearest hospital.

To download the How to use a Sked PDF click here How-to-use-a-Sked