Kemp USA Aluminum Folding Stretcher | Field Manual SOP

How to Guides - Product Field Manual SOPs - Luminary Global

Kemp USA Aluminum Folding Stretcher | Field Manual SOP

Category: Manual Stretchers & Gurneys

Difficulty Level: Tier 3: Field Competency Required

Get the Complete Field Manual

Download the official step-by-step PDF guide.

📥 Download PDF Guide

Written by: Valerie Ellis Lavin

Quick Overview

A rigid aluminum slat litter is a foldable, hard-platform casualty transport device used by rescue operators, industrial responders, and tactical personnel to move non-ambulatory patients through hazardous, contaminated, or high-debris environments where fabric stretchers would fail.

The Rigid Aluminum Slat Litter is engineered for deployment in conditions that defeat conventional equipment. Its non-porous aluminum slat bed resists puncture from ground debris, repels biological and chemical fluids, and supports effective technical decontamination after exposure. The center hinge mechanism allows the unit to fold to a compact 37" x 20" x 1.25" profile for vehicle storage and rapid deployment, then locks into a fully rigid platform when extended. The structural frame and hand-carry rails accommodate both two-person and four-person carry configurations depending on available personnel and terrain.

Patient securing is a mandatory operator action, not an optional step. The litter provides no integrated restraint system, and the strap pass-through gaps built into the slat bed and outer frame serve as dedicated anchoring points for separately procured restraint straps. The SOP requires a minimum of three straps positioned at the upper chest, pelvis, and legs before any transport movement begins. Skipping this step creates a significant patient fall risk, particularly over uneven or debris-laden terrain.

Two doctrinal limitations define the boundaries of this equipment. First, this litter is not a spineboard and provides no spinal motion restriction. Suspected spinal injuries require a backboard, cervical collar, and head immobilization blocks per local protocol before loading. Second, as a fully metallic device, the surface is subject to extreme thermal transfer in direct sun or freezing conditions, requiring a blanket or barrier between patient and litter when surface temperature presents a hazard.

Field Application Steps

1. STAGE AND INSPECT THE LITTER: Move the folded litter to a stable, flat surface near the casualty and conduct a pre-deployment inspection. Verify structural integrity by checking all welds, frame, and slats for cracks, bending, or deformation, and confirm the surface is free of sharp burrs or contaminants.

2. DEPLOY AND LOCK THE PLATFORM: Pull the rails apart to full extension until the center hinge mechanism locks and the platform is completely rigid. Do not load a patient until the hinge is confirmed locked and both rails are fully straight.

3. POSITION THE LITTER AND ASSIGN ROLES: Place the deployed litter parallel to the patient. Assign Rescuer 1 as Team Leader at the head position to direct all commands and maintain cervical spine control if spinal injury is suspected. Assign Rescuer 2 to the opposite side of the patient from the litter.

4. LOAD THE PATIENT VIA COORDINATED LOG-ROLL: Execute a coordinated log-roll on the Team Leader's command. Move the litter flush against the patient's back and roll the patient onto the slat bed, maintaining spinal alignment if injury is suspected.

5. SECURE THE PATIENT WITH RESTRAINT STRAPS: Thread compatible restraint straps through the strap pass-through gaps and apply a minimum of three straps. Position Strap 1 across the upper chest below the armpits, Strap 2 across the pelvis and hips, and Strap 3 across the legs above or below the knees. Do not initiate transport with an unsecured patient.

6. ASSESS THERMAL HAZARD BEFORE TRANSPORT: Check the litter surface temperature before the patient makes contact, particularly in direct sun or freezing conditions. Place a blanket or appropriate barrier between the patient and the aluminum surface if thermal transfer presents a risk of injury.

7. EXECUTE TRANSPORT UNDER TEAM LEADER COMMAND: Position a minimum of two rescuers, and preferably four at the corners, gripping the hand-carry rails. The Team Leader calls all movements in sequence: "Prepare to lift," "Lift," and "Move." Lift with the legs, maintain a level platform, and move deliberately over terrain obstacles.

8. CONDUCT PATIENT HANDOVER: Upon arrival at the casualty collection point or receiving medical facility, communicate the patient's status, mechanism of injury, and any spinal precautions maintained during transport to the receiving medical team.

9. PERFORM POST-USE DECONTAMINATION: Remove gross contamination by scraping or brushing, then clean the entire unit with soap, detergent, and water. Apply a chemical disinfectant or decontaminating agent appropriate for the exposure type and verify agent compatibility with aluminum before application.

10. RINSE, DRY, AND STORE: Rinse the unit thoroughly and air dry completely, or wipe dry with a clean cloth. Fold the litter to its compact profile and store in a clean, dry, secure location such as a vehicle compartment, rescue cache, or wall-mounted bracket.

Equip Yourself: Kemp USA Aluminum Metal Folding Stretcher – Heavy-Duty Flat Litter

Ensure you have the right gear before an emergency strikes.

View Product

LEGAL DISCLAIMER & SAFETY WARNING:
The information provided in this Luminary Global Field Manual is strictly for educational and informational purposes. It is not a substitute for formal medical, tactical, or professional training. In the event of a medical emergency, immediately seek professional help or contact emergency services. Luminary Global assumes no liability for the misuse of equipment, improper application of techniques, or any injuries/damages resulting from the use of these guidelines. Always rely on your official agency training, local laws, and established protocols during a crisis.