Imagine you're out and about, perhaps on a multi-day tour, perhaps in a real emergency. One of the group sprains their ankle or injures themselves more seriously. They can no longer walk, but you have to keep going - whether it's to get back to civilization or simply to reach a safe place. It is precisely at moments like these that you realize how vital an improvised stretcher can be.
There is a difference between laboriously dragging injured people on your arms through rough terrain and building a system that distributes the weight and makes transportation easier. It's not about comfort. It's about efficiency, safety and often also about not exhausting your own strength too quickly.
Why an improvised stretcher can be so important
An improvised carrying aid is more than just an aid. It can make all the difference for hours on end. Anyone who has ever tried to carry an adult in their arms for just a few hundred meters knows how quickly the muscles burn.
What's more, injured people need stability. Uncontrolled lifting can exacerbate pain or cause additional damage. A stretcher provides structure - it distributes the weight, protects the injured person and relieves the burden on those helping.
Of course, it is no substitute for a professional rescue stretcher, such as those used by mountain rescue teams or paramedics. But in the wilderness, in a blackout or in a scenario where there is no help in sight, what counts is what you can manage with simple means.
Basic principles for building a stretcher
Before we go into the details, it is worth internalizing a few principles:
- Stability before comfort. The construction must be safe. A temporary structure that collapses endangers both sides.
- Choose material wisely. Not everything is suitable - brittle wood or fabrics that are too thin tear quickly.
- Distribute weight. The more shoulders and hands carry the load, the longer the group will last.
- Think of the injured person. Comfort is secondary, but pressure points, twisted limbs or unsteady positioning can be dangerous.
Materials that are suitable
Improvising means using whatever is available. A surprising number of everyday objects can be repurposed.
Typical materials:
- Sticks or branches: As stable as possible, straight and about arm's length.
- Jackets or shirts: Pulling the sleeves over two poles creates a kind of lying surface.
- Backpacks: Two backpacks stretched next to each other with straps form a support.
- Ropes, paracord, belts: To connect sticks together or to fix fabric.
- Tarpaulins or canvas tents: Perfect for creating an area between sticks.
Variants of improvised carrying aids
There are several tried and tested methods for building an improvised stretcher. Some are more elaborate, others are surprisingly simple.
1. the jacket stretcher
One of the best known variants.
- Place two sturdy sticks (about 2 m long) parallel to each other on the ground.
- Unbutton two or three jackets and put the sleeves over the poles.
- Close jackets.
The fabric surfaces form the lying surface, the poles provide stability. Important: thicker jackets are better, shirts can tear.
2. the backpack stretcher
Particularly practical if everyone in the group is carrying rucksacks.
- Place two rucksacks next to each other so that the shoulder straps are facing outwards.
- Connect the belts crosswise to create a „lying surface“.
- Push sticks or poles through the straps to increase stability.
Not as comfortable as the jacket carrier, but quick to build.
3. the tarpaulin stretcher
A tent, poncho or large tarpaulin is stretched between two poles.
- Fold the tarpaulin over lengthwise so that the sticks lie in the edges.
- Secure with ropes or knots.
This version is stable and offers a relatively large lying surface.
Comparison of the variants
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Jacket stretcher | Simple, without extra material | Fabric can tear |
| Backpack carrier | Built very quickly | Less comfortable for injured people |
| Tarpaulin stretcher | Stable, good surface area | Tarpaulin not always available |
If no material is available
Sometimes there is no tarpaulin, no jackets, no ropes. Then you have to get creative.
- Fireman's handle (rescue handle): One person carries the other on their back with their arms crossed under their legs.
- Two-person chair: Two helpers cross their arms, the injured person sits on them.
- Improvised sling: Place a belt or rope around the injured person's body and use it for pulling.
These methods are exhausting, but better than nothing.
Step-by-step: Building a jacket stretcher
To make it concrete, here are some instructions for the classic version:
- Find two sturdy branches, about as thick as your forearm and about two meters long.
- Prepare jackets or shirts, open buttons or zippers.
- Pull the sleeves through the poles so that they act like rails.
- Close the jackets again to tighten the surface.
- Check that everything is tight.
- Carefully lift the injured person onto the stretcher, preferably with two or three people.
What you should look out for
Improvised transportation is always risky. Safety and caution are paramount.
- Walk slowly. Every shock means stress for the injured person.
- Take breaks. Even helpers need breathing space.
- Pay attention to posture. Position the injured person so that injured limbs are not subjected to additional strain.
- Think about communication. The persons carrying the load should consult each other before setting off or changing direction.
Small list: Things you can pack as a precaution
Even if you should be able to improvise - preparation never hurts. If you're out and about regularly, you can achieve a lot with just a few items:
- Paracord or light rope (hardly takes up any space)
- A poncho or lightweight tarpaulin
- Sturdy gloves (protect when worn)
- Multitool or knife
Personal experience
I remember an exercise where we had to carry an injured person several hundred meters with minimal equipment. At first, some people laughed - „That'll be fine“. After five minutes it looked different. Arms were shaking, backs were burning. It was only when we built the jacket stretcher that it became feasible. It wasn't comfortable, but it held up. This experience showed me: Improvised aids are not a luxury, but a pure necessity.
Psychological aspect
An improvised stretcher is more than just a technical aid. It shows the injured person: „You are not alone, we care.“ This feeling can be crucial when panic or despair threaten. At the same time, it strengthens the team - everyone has a task, everyone is responsible.
Conclusion: knowledge is the best equipment
Building an improvised stretcher is not rocket science. It doesn't require any high-tech gadgets, just the knowledge of how to combine existing items. Sticks, jackets, ropes - the result is a solution that can save lives.
The crucial thing is not to hesitate. If you know the principles, you can act instead of standing helplessly by. And that is precisely what makes the difference between a dangerous standstill and moving forward safely.
Because in the end, it doesn't matter whether the carrier looks pretty. It only has to do one thing: last.
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