B-9. Improvised Litters

Table of Contents

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 materials at hand. Improvised litters must be as well constructed as possible to avoid risk of dropping or further injuring the casualty. Improvised litters are emergency measures and must be replaced by standard litters at the first opportunity.
• b . Many different types of litters can be improvised, depending upon the materials available. A satisfactory litter can be made by securing poles inside such items as a blanket, poncho, shelter half, tarpaulin, mattress cover, jacket, shirt, or bed ticks, bags, and sacks (Figure B-18). Poles can be improvised from strong branches, tent supports, skis, lengths of pipe or other objects. If objects for improvising poles are not available, a blanket, poncho, or similar item can be rolled from both sides toward the center so the rolls can be gripped for carrying a patient. Most flat-surface objects of suitable size can be used as litters. Such objects include doors, boards, window shutters, benches, ladders, cots, and chairs. If possible, these objects should be padded for the casualty’s comfort.
• • (1) To improvise a litter using a blanket and poles (Figure B-21), the following steps should be used.

Figure B-21. Litter made with blanket and poles.

• • • (a) Open the blanket and lay one pole lengthwise across the center; then fold the blanket over the pole.
    • (b) Place the second pole across the center of the folded blanket.
    • (c) Fold the free edges of the blanket over the second pole and across the first pole.
  • (2) To improvise a litter using shirts or jackets (Figure B22), button the shirt or jacket and turn it inside out, leaving the sleeves inside, (more than one shirt or jacket may be required), then pass the pole through the sleeves.

Figure B-22. Litter improvised from jackets and poles (Illustrated A — B).

• • (3) To improvise a litter from bed sacks and poles (Figure B-23), rip open the corners of bed ticks, bags, or sacks; then pass the poles through them.

Figure B-23. Litter improvised from bed sacks and poles.

• • (4) If no poles are available, roll a blanket, shelter half, tarpaulin, or similar item from both sides toward the center (Figure B-24). Grip the rolls to carry the casualty.

Figure B-24. Rolled blanket used as a litter.

• c. 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-6).
  • • The two-man arms carry (Figure B-17).
  • • The two-man fore-and-aft carry (Figure B-18).
  • • The two-hand seat carry (Figure B-20).
  • • The four-hand seat carry (Figure B-19).

WARNING

Unless there is an immediate life-threatening situation (such as fire, explosion), DO NOT move a casualty with a suspected back or neck injury. Seek medical personnel for guidance on how to transport.

• d. Either two or four service members (head/foot) may be used to lift a litter. To lift the litter, follow the procedure below.
• • (1) Raise the litter at the same time as the other carriers/ bearers.
  • (2) Keep the casualty as level as possible.

NOTE

Use caution when transporting on a sloping incline/hill.