Longview Hills @ Newport Oregon

Today the CERT team held drills aimed at moving injured people using senior citizens as stretcher bearers. It takes more to do the job without getting injured for older CERT team members. Practice is essential. This is where we are converting what was learned in the class room to practical solutions.

The stretcher you see in use here was designed and built right here in the park by a retired craftsman. So many ideas have been incorporated into it by team members that we all feel somewhat envolved in its developement.There is nothing like it anywhere. There is room and handholds for 8 people to lift. The weight distribution among lifters felt like 10-15lbs. The Dummy (Rescue Randy weighs 175lbs.) Once the stretcher is on the ground 2 team members can move it with ease. One pulls and steers the other acts as a brake and helps steer the rear. Swivel Wheels on the bottom make this an easy chore.

In one frame you see the stretcher laying across two chairs. This was a new adaptation brought on today by a suggestion. The reason he needs to be elevated is because Seniors have knee and back problems and with him at this height he is easy to treat. The undercarriage of the stretcher was specially reinforced to provide the support to do this.

Moving up and down a curb is an easy operation for two people as the above reinforcing also doubles as skids and so very litlle lifting is needed.

Lifting a patient without incurring bumps and jerks needs team work. The team leader is always the person at the head of patient and calls all the moves so that the team executes every move with the greatest of care for the patient.