Quick answer
Folding canvas stretchers are light and portable for first aid; scoop stretchers and spine boards move patients with suspected spinal injury without rolling them; basket stretchers are for rescue from difficult terrain; and stretcher trolleys move patients within hospitals. Ambulance stretchers are designed to load into vehicles.
A stretcher's job is to move a patient safely, but the right type depends heavily on where the patient is and what injury they might have. Hospitals, ambulances, factories, schools and event organisers often need more than one kind.
Stretcher types at a glance
| Type | Main use | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Folding canvas stretcher | First aid, schools, events, factories | Light, folds compactly for storage |
| Scoop stretcher | Suspected spinal or pelvic injury | Splits into two halves that slide under the patient without rolling them |
| Spine board | Immobilising and extricating trauma patients | Rigid flat board with straps |
| Basket stretcher | Rescue from heights, rough terrain, confined spaces | Rigid basket shape holds and protects the patient |
| Stretcher on trolley | Moving patients within hospitals | Wheeled frame with mattress platform |
| Ambulance stretcher | Patient transport by ambulance | Designed to load into vehicles and lock securely |
Folding and canvas stretchers
A 2 Fold Canvas Stretcher is the classic first-aid stretcher: two poles with a canvas bed that folds away. It's ideal for first-aid rooms, schools, sports grounds and workplaces, where it may be used rarely but must be ready. A Rescue Stretcher is built for emergency response teams who need a light, portable stretcher.
Scoop stretchers
A Scoop Stretcher separates lengthwise into two halves. Each half slides under the patient from either side and they lock back together, so the patient is lifted without being rolled. This is important when a spinal or pelvic injury is suspected.
Spine boards
A Spine Board is a rigid board used with straps (and usually a head immobiliser) to keep the spine aligned while a trauma patient is moved, for example from a road accident to an ambulance.
Basket stretchers
A Basket Stretcher is a rigid, basket-shaped stretcher used in rescue: lifting patients from heights, carrying them over uneven ground, or moving them through industrial sites. The raised sides protect the patient and allow secure strapping.
Hospital stretcher trolleys
Inside a hospital, patients are moved on wheeled stretcher trolleys: between the emergency room, wards, imaging and OT. Choose the MS Stretcher on Trolley General for general use or the SS Stretcher on Trolley General for maximum hygiene and corrosion resistance. A Patient Roller Shifter helps staff slide patients between bed and trolley with less lifting.
Ambulance stretchers
Ambulance stretchers are built to load into vehicles and lock in place during transport. The Ambulance Stretcher Cum Wheelchair converts into a wheelchair, which helps in tight spaces such as narrow staircases and lifts.
Which stretchers does your organisation need?
- Hospital or nursing home: stretcher trolleys, plus a scoop stretcher or spine board for the emergency department.
- Ambulance service: ambulance stretcher, scoop stretcher and spine board.
- Factory, construction or industrial site: basket stretcher and a folding stretcher, depending on site risks.
- School, office, sports venue or event: folding canvas stretcher in the first-aid room.
Stretchers used for trauma must be operated by trained people. Combine your purchase with first-aid and patient-handling training for your team.
Browse all Emergency & Stretchers, or see Equipment Checklist for Setting Up a New Clinic or OPD.
Frequently asked questions
What is a scoop stretcher used for?
A scoop stretcher splits into two halves that slide under the patient from each side and lock together, so the patient can be lifted without rolling. It is used when a spinal or pelvic injury is suspected.
What is the difference between a spine board and a scoop stretcher?
A scoop stretcher is mainly used to lift a patient from the ground without rolling them. A spine board is a rigid board that immobilises the spine during extrication and transport. They are often used together.
Which stretcher is best for a factory or workplace?
A folding canvas stretcher covers most first-aid needs. Sites with work at height, confined spaces or rough ground should also keep a basket stretcher.
What stretcher is used inside hospitals?
Hospitals mainly use wheeled stretcher trolleys to move patients between departments, with stainless steel models preferred where hygiene is critical.
Need help choosing?
Our team in Pune can recommend the right equipment for your patient or facility, and we deliver across India.
