A. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE I
Action: Prepare and use a SKED® litter or improvised litter to evacuate a casualty. Conditions: Given a simulated casualty, a SKED® litter or appropriate materials to make an improvised litter, and personnel to act as litter bearers. Standards: Score a GO on the performance checklist.
1. Learning Step / Activity 1. Evacuating a Casualty Using a SKED® or Improvised Litter . Method of instruction: Conference/Discussion/Demonstration Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:100 Time of Instruction: 1 hr / 55 min Media: A/V
1. EVACUATION
NOTE: Show Slide # 1-2
Being able to evacuate a casualty in a quick and efficient manner can result in saving his life. You may need to move the casualty to a company aid post or other location where the casualty can receive needed medical care. Sometimes, the casualty can walk, but at other times he must be carried on a litter. If a SKED litter is available, use it to transport the casualty.
NOTE: Show Slide # 3
The SKED litter is a compact and lightweight transport system used to evacuate a casualty over land. It can also be used to rescue a casualty in water.
If a SKED litter is not available, you may need to construct an improvised litter from available materials.
2. PREPARE A SKED LITTER FOR USE
Demonstrate preparing a SKED litter for use.
DEMONSTRATION: Preparing a SKED® Litter
Demonstrate preparing the SKED® litter.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a SKED litter for use are given below.
(1) Remove the SKED litter from its pack and place it on the ground.
(2) Unfasten the retainer strap. (3) Step on the foot end of the SKED litter and unroll the SKED completely.
(4) Bend the SKED litter in half and back roll.
(5) Repeat with the opposite end of the litter so that the SKED litter should lays flat.
(6) Point out the handholds, straps for the casualty, and dragline.
3. PLACE AND SECURE A CASUALTY TO A SKED LITTER
Now that the SKED litter has been made ready, we need to place the casualty onto the litter, secure the casualty to the litter so he will not fall off, and transport the casualty. We will work with an unconscious casualty.
Demonstrate using a SKED litter.
DEMONSTRATION: Using a SKED Litter
Use an assistant instructor or student as the simulated casualty.
Demonstrate placing the casualty on the SKED litter.
Demonstrate securing the casualty to the SKED litter.
Demonstrate transporting the casualty on the SKED litter.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for placing the casualty on the SKED litter are given below.
(1) Place the SKED litter next to the casualty so that the head end of the litter is next to the casualty's head.
(2) Place the cross straps under the SKED litter.
(3) Log roll the casualty onto his side in a steady and even manner.
NOTE: Suggest showing one-man rescuer method, then four-man rescuer method. Emphasize supporting the casualty's head and neck.
(4) Slide the SKED litter as far under the casualty as possible.
(5) Gently roll the casualty until he is again lying on his back with the litter neath him.
(6) Slide the casualty to the middle of the SKED litter, keeping his spinal column as straight as possible. (7) Pull out the straps from under the SKED litter.
(8) Bring the straps across the casualty.
(9) Lift the sides of the SKED litter and fasten the four cross straps to the buckles directly opposite the straps. (10) Lift the foot portion of the SKED litter.
(11) Feed the foot straps over the casualty's lower extremities and through the unused grommets at the foot end of the SKED litter.
(12) Fasten the straps to the buckles.
(13) Check to make sure the casualty is secured to the SKED litter.
(14) Demonstrate moving the casualty by yourself (dragline), two person (one on each side grasping two handholds each, and four man (litter squad) described below.
(a) Each bearer kneels at one of the handles on the knee closest to the litter and facing the direction of travel . The leader of the litter team is usually at the casualty's right shoulder. Usually, the casualty is transported with his feet pointing toward the direction of travel.
(b) Upon command from the leader, the bearers stand up in unison, lifting the casualty.
(c) Upon command from the leader, the bearers carry the casualty, adjusting as needed to keep the casualty as level as possible.
4. IMPROVISED LITTERS
NOTE: Show Slide # 4-5
There are times when a casualty may have to be moved and you must improvise litters from materials at hand. I will show you how to make some improvised litter. Improvised litters must be as well constructed as possible to avoid the risk of dropping the casualty or further injuring the casualty.
5. BLANKET AND POLE IMPROVISED LITTER
NOTE: Show Slide # 6
An improvised litter can be made using two tent poles and a blanket. When the casualty is placed on the litter, his weight will hold the litter together. I will demonstrate making such a litter.
DEMONSTRATION: Preparing an Improvised Blanket and Pole Litter
Demonstrate preparing an improvised blanket and pole litter.
Have an assistant or student act as a simulated casualty to demonstrate that the litter functions properly.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson. NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a blanket and pole litter for use are given below.
(1) Obtain two poles and a blanket.
(2) Open the blanket so that it is flat on the ground.
(3) Place a pole in the middle of the blanket dividing it into two equal sections.
(4) Lift one edge of the blanket and bring the blanket section over the pole so that it lies on top of the other half of the blanket. (5) Place a second pole so that it divides the doubled blanket into two equal sections.
(6) Bring the far edge of the blanket over the second pole and place the edge next to the first pole.
(7) Have a student or assistant instructor lie on the litter while four students lift the litter to show that it is safe.
6. PONCHO AND POLE IMPROVISED LITTER
An improvised litter can also be made using two tent poles and a poncho. I will demonstrate making such a litter.
DEMONSTRATION: Preparing an Improvised Poncho and Pole Litter
Demonstrate preparing an improvised poncho and pole litter.
Have an assistant or student act as a simulated casualty to demonstrate that the litter functions properly.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a poncho and pole litter for use are given below.
(1) Obtain two poles and a poncho.
(2) Open the poncho so that it is flat on the ground.
(3) Lay two poles across the poncho so the poncho is divided into thirds.
(4) Reach in and pull the hood toward you.
(5) Lay the hood flat on the poncho and make sure the drawstrings are not hanging out of the hole.
NOTE: CHECK ON LEARNING QUESTION: Why am I making sure the hood and drawstrings are not hanging out?
ANSWER: They could catch on brush or other obstacles, which could result in the litter falling.
(6) Fold one outer third of the poncho over its pole.
(7) Fold the other outer third of the poncho over its pole to produce a litter bed with three layers.
(8) Have a student or assistant instructor lie on the litter while four students lift the litter to show that it is safe.
7. JACKET AND POLE IMPROVISED LITTER
NOTE: Show Slide # 7
An improvised litter can also be made using two tent poles and two or three jackets or heavy shirts. I will demonstrate making such a litter.
DEMONSTRATION: Preparing an Improvised Jacket and Pole Litter
Demonstrate preparing an improvised jacket and pole litter.
Have an assistant or student act as a simulated casualty to demonstrate that the litter functions properly.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a jacket and pole litter for use are given below.
(1) Obtain two poles and two jackets.
(2) Close the jackets.
(3) Turn the garments inside out, leaving the sleeves inside.
(4) Place one garment below the other so that the sleeves are aligned.
(5) Slide the poles through the sleeves.
(6) Have a student or assistant instructor lie on the litter while four students lift the litter to show that it is safe.
8. SACK AND POLE IMPROVISED LITTER
NOTE: Show Slide # 8
An improvised litter can be made using two tent poles or similar rigid objects and two empty heavy fabric sacks, such as potato sacks. I will demonstrate making a sack and pole litter. DEMONSTRATION: Preparing an Improvised Sack and Pole Litter
Demonstrate preparing an improvised sack and pole litter.
Have an assistant or student act as a simulated casualty to demonstrate that the litter functions properly.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a jacket and pole litter for use are given below.
(1) Obtain two poles, two potato sacks, and a knife.
(2) Cut holes in the two corners of the closed end of each sack. (3) Place the sacks lengthwise so the open ends of the sacks are facing each other.
(4) Slide the poles or limbs through the holes.
(5) Overlap the open ends of the sacks about three inches to provide extra strength in the middle of the litter.
(6) Have a student or assistant instructor lie on the litter while four students lift the litter to show that it is safe.
NOTE: CHECK ON LEARNING
QUESTION: Suppose I don't have any tent poles to spare? What can I use instead?
ANSWER: Straight tree limbs.
QUESTION: Do all improvised litter require tent poles or similar rigid objects?
ANSWER: No. Example: blanket litter.
9. BLANKET IMPROVISED LITTER
NOTE: Show Slide # 9
An improvised litter can be made using only a blanket or similar material.
DEMONSTRATION: Preparing an Improvised Blanket Litter
Demonstrate preparing an improvised sack and pole litter.
Have an assistant or student act as a simulated casualty to demonstrate that the litter functions properly.
ALTERNATIVE: Have an assistant instructor perform the procedures while you explain what is being performed.
Explain what is being done as the procedure is performed.
Make sure all of the students can see.
Ask the students if they have any questions about what they have just seen before continuing the lesson.
NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR:
The steps for preparing a blanket litter for use are given below.
(1) Obtain a blanket.
(2) Lay it flat on the ground.
(3) Roll two opposite edges toward the middle so they can be used for gripping.
(4) Have a student or assistant instructor lie on the litter while four students lift the litter to show that it is safe.
NOTE: Show Slide # 10 thru 16
10. STUDENT PRACTICE
Divide the students into groups and have them practice the following.
(1) Preparing and securing a casualty to a SKED litter.
(2) Making improvised poncho and pole litter.
(3) Making improvised blanket and pole litter.
11. PERFORMANCE EXAMINATIONS
The performance examination for Lesson 9 can be administered immediately following student practice or at a later time.
12. CLOSING
In this course, you have learned to evaluate a casualty, perform life-saving measures, and evacuate the casualty. Remember, though, being a combat lifesaver is your secondary mission. Your combat duties must remain your primary focus.
CHECK ON LEARNING: Conduct a check on learning and summarize the learning activity.