A stretcher, often referred to as an ambulance cot when wheeled, is a specialized device designed for safely moving patients who require medical care or immobilization. The weight of this equipment is a primary consideration for emergency medical services and rescue personnel, as it directly impacts transport safety and ease of use. The weight of a stretcher varies significantly based on its intended purpose, construction materials, and whether it includes a power system. Weights can range from a light 11 pounds for a basic field model to over 140 pounds for a fully powered unit.
Weight of Primary Transport Cots
The most common patient transfer device is the wheeled ambulance cot, engineered for use in emergency vehicles and typically featuring an X-frame structure. The weight difference between manual and powered versions is substantial due to the inclusion of mechanical systems. Modern manual ambulance cots, which rely on the operator to lift and lower the patient, generally weigh between 70 and 90 pounds. These often utilize a lightweight aluminum frame to maintain maneuverability while meeting safety standards.
Powered ambulance cots, in contrast, incorporate a hydraulic or electric lift system to mechanically raise and lower patients and are considerably heavier. These models typically weigh between 125 and 140 pounds. The additional weight comes from specialized components, including the electric motor, the hydraulic pump system, and the heavy-duty rechargeable battery pack. This extra mass provides an ergonomic benefit by reducing strain on emergency personnel during patient loading and unloading.
Specialized Stretcher Weights and Designs
Beyond the standard wheeled cot, specialized stretchers prioritize portability and specific functions, resulting in lower weights. The simplest designs are folding or field stretchers, often constructed with a lightweight aluminum frame and a durable canvas or vinyl bed, allowing them to collapse for compact storage. These field stretchers generally weigh between 11 and 20 pounds, making them ideal for military or mass casualty events where rapid deployment and minimal weight are necessary. Their design focuses on basic patient conveyance over short distances.
Another specialized tool is the scoop stretcher, a device that splits vertically into two halves to be placed under a patient and then rejoined, minimizing movement. Constructed from materials like aluminum or high-impact composite polymers, scoop stretchers typically weigh between 16 and 20 pounds. The dual-piece design facilitates spinal immobilization without the need to roll the patient, which is an advantage in suspected trauma cases.
For rugged terrain and technical rescue scenarios, the basket stretcher, also known as a Stokes litter, is utilized due to its protective cage structure. Basket stretchers are made from materials such as steel tubing or high-density polyethylene shells joined to an aluminum frame, which increases durability. These litters are heavier than scoop or folding models, generally weighing between 30 and 35 pounds, reflecting their capability to safely contain a patient during complex vertical or horizontal lifts.
Distinguishing Equipment Weight from Patient Load Capacity
It is important to understand that the weight of the stretcher itself is distinct from its load capacity, which is the maximum weight the device is rated to carry safely. While a typical manual ambulance cot weighs less than 90 pounds, its patient load capacity is generally rated for 500 to 700 pounds. This difference highlights the structural strength built into the cot’s frame and lifting mechanism. Manufacturers design the equipment to withstand forces far greater than the device’s weight to ensure patient and operator safety during transport and maneuvering. Specialized bariatric cots, which may be structurally reinforced, can have a load capacity exceeding 1,000 pounds.