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Safety & Lifesaving
Emergency Response Equipment
Emergency Response Equipment covers the kit used to reach, package and move a casualty on a rig: basket, scoop and flexible stretchers, spine boards, confined space tripods and rescue winches, descent devices, trauma bags and spill response kits.
Most of it is durable and can be inspected and reused. Textile components, lifting slings and rescue harnesses need a known history.
Where this equipment sits in the emergency plan
A rig's emergency response plan names the scenarios, such as a fall from the derrick, an injury in a mud tank or a casualty on a lower deck. It assigns a team and the kit to each one. The equipment has to reach the casualty, secure them, lift or lower them, and carry them along the evacuation route to the sick bay, the helideck or a lifeboat.
Configurations
| Type | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basket stretcher | Rigid carry over decks and lifting | Steel, aluminium or plastic shell |
| Flexible stretcher | Vertical lift through hatches and narrow spaces | Wraps the casualty for hoisting |
| Scoop stretcher | Lifting a casualty off the deck with minimal movement | Splits lengthwise |
| Spine board | Spinal immobilisation and carry | Used with head blocks and straps |
| Tripod or davit | Overhead anchor above a manhole or tank hatch | EN 795 Type B for tripods |
| Rescue winch or lifting device | Raising a casualty from a confined space | EN 1496 |
| Descent device | Lowering from height | EN 341 |
| Trauma and spill kits | Bleeding control and chemical spill containment | Contents expire |
Key specifications
| Parameter | Why it matters | Typical classes or units |
|---|---|---|
| Rated load | Casualty plus stretcher plus equipment | kg and lb |
| Lifting points and bridle | Required for crane or winch lifting | Rated load, test certificate |
| Dimensions | Must pass hatches, stairs and helicopter doors | mm and in |
| Winch lift height and speed | Must cover the deepest tank or void | m and ft |
| Material | Corrosion and weight offshore | Stainless steel, aluminium, polymer |
Standards
- EN 1865-1 covers stretcher systems and patient handling equipment for road ambulances. Many rescue stretchers cite it, but it does not approve a stretcher for crane or helicopter lifting.
- EN 795 Type B covers transportable anchor devices such as tripods.
- EN 1496 covers rescue lifting devices and EN 341 descender devices.
- EN 1497 and EN 1498 cover rescue harnesses and rescue loops.
- Lifting accessories used with stretchers fall under lifting equipment rules, such as LOLER in the UK, with periodic thorough examination.
- In the US, ANSI/ASSP Z359.4 covers assisted-rescue and self-rescue systems.
Failure modes and inspection
- Stretchers. Check shell cracks, rail welds, rivets, runners and the condition and buckles of every strap.
- Lifting bridles. Check sling marking, wear, corrosion of rings and shackles, and the test certificate date.
- Tripods and winches. Check leg locks, feet, the head casting, cable or rope condition, brake function and the auto-locking mechanism.
- Descent devices. Check the braking function and the rope against the maker's limits.
- Trauma and spill kits. Check seals and expiry dates on every item.
Run a lift and lower test with a dummy at the rated load where the maker's instructions call for it.
Documentation
- Marking, model, serial number and date of manufacture.
- The maker's user instructions and conformity documents.
- Periodic examination records, and load test certificates for anything lifted.
- Kit contents lists with expiry dates.
Integration
Measure the evacuation route before you choose a stretcher. A basket stretcher that cannot turn at the bottom of a ladder stairway is no use. Confirm that the stretcher fits your helicopter operator's cabin and your lifeboat. Match tripod height and winch length to your deepest mud pit or tank. Use connectors compatible with your rescue harnesses and your fall protection systems.
Refurbishment and what never to buy used
Rigid stretchers, tripods and winches can return to service after an inspection, new straps where needed, a service by the maker or its agent and a load test. Replace all textile straps, slings and harnesses of unknown history. Never buy opened or expired trauma kits, haemostatic dressings or spill absorbents of unknown origin.
For the devices that treat the casualty, see medical equipment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which stretcher suits a rig?
Most rigs carry several types, because no single stretcher suits every route. A basket stretcher suits deck carries and crane lifts. A flexible stretcher suits vertical lifts through hatches and narrow spaces. A scoop stretcher lifts a casualty off the deck with little movement.
Can a used rescue tripod be put back into service?
Yes, after a competent person examines it, the maker or its agent services the winch and it passes a load test. Check the leg locks, head casting and cable. Ask for the marking to EN 795 Type B and EN 1496.
What standard covers rescue lifting devices?
EN 1496 covers rescue lifting devices in Europe, and ANSI/ASSP Z359.4 covers assisted-rescue systems in the US. Tripods used as anchors fall under EN 795 Type B. Descent devices fall under EN 341.
Can any stretcher be lifted by crane?
No, only a stretcher rated for lifting, with a rated bridle and a current test certificate, should go on a crane hook. Many stretchers are made for carrying only. The maker's instructions state which lifting configurations are approved.
What should I replace on a used basket stretcher?
Replace all straps and buckles of unknown history and any lifting bridle without a valid certificate. Check the shell and rails for cracks and corrosion. Then load test it in its lifting configuration.
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