Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients
06:00

A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients

Published on: May 16, 2025

Mountain rescue stretchers: usability trial.

Sue Hignett1, Joseph Wayne Willmott, Stacy Clemes

  • 1Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety Unit, Dept of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK. S.M.Hignett@lboro.ac.uk

Work (Reading, Mass.)
|December 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Mountain rescue stretchers require design improvements for volunteer and casualty safety. Future designs should prioritize reduced weight, undercarriage systems, and adjustable handles for enhanced performance in challenging conditions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Fall prevention through a systems approach: SEIPS, AcciMap and HTA findings from patient safety specialists.

Age and ageing·2026
Same author

COVID-19 vaccination systems: Human Factors at the 'sharp end'.

Applied ergonomics·2025
Same author

A day in the life of a home care worker in England: A human factors systems perspective.

Applied ergonomics·2023
Same author

The Standardization of the Emergency Department Response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Events: Human Factors/Ergonomics Approach.

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness·2023
Same author

The contribution of human factors and ergonomics to the design and delivery of safe future healthcare.

Future healthcare journal·2021
Same author

Evaluation of a natural workspace intervention with active design features on movement, interaction and health.

Work (Reading, Mass.)·2021

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Mountain rescues in the UK rely on volunteers operating in extreme conditions.
  • Stretcher design is critical for the safety of both rescuers and casualties.
  • Existing stretcher designs present trade-offs between features and usability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the usability of current mountain rescue stretchers.
  • To identify key design characteristics for future mountain rescue stretcher development.
  • To compare the performance of four specific stretcher models.

Main Methods:

  • A five-week field experiment involving two UK mountain rescue teams.
  • Data collection via postural analysis (Rapid Entire Body Analysis), Body Part Discomfort Surveys, and Rated Perceived Exertion.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients
06:00

A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients

Published on: May 16, 2025

  • Qualitative data gathered through focus groups.

    • Main Results:

    • No single stretcher demonstrated an overall advantage; features had counterbalancing benefits and drawbacks.
    • Shoulder discomfort was reported with all tested stretchers.
    • The Split Thomas and MacInnes 6 stretchers reduced postural risks when using skids/wheels during the carrying phase.

    Conclusions:

    • Future mountain rescue stretcher designs should incorporate reduced weight, undercarriage systems, adjustable handles, and flexible carrying options.
    • Ease of assembly in adverse conditions and large carrying capacity are essential.
    • Expanding the market to include military evacuation could drive further development.