The scoop stretcher is a device used specifically for casualty lifting

Casualty lifting

Casualty lifting is the first step of casualty movement, an early aspect of emergency medical care. It is the procedure used to put the casualty on a stretcher....

. It is most frequently used to lift supine

Supine

In grammar a supine is a form of verbal noun used in some languages.-In Latin:In Latin there are two supines, I and II . They are originally the accusative and dative or ablative forms of a verbal noun in the fourth declension, respectively. The first supine ends in -um. It has two uses. The first...

 patients from the ground, either due to unconsciousness or in order to maintain stability in the case of trauma, especially spinal injury, where it is used as an intermediate step between the ground and a restraining device such as a long spine board

Long spine board

A spinal board, also known as a long spine board , longboard, spineboard, or backboard, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care designed to provide rigid support during movement of a patient with suspected spinal or limb injuries...

 or vacuum mattress

Vacuum mattress

A vacuum mattress, or vacmat, is a medical device used for the immobilisation of patients, especially in case of a vertebra, pelvis or limb trauma . It is also used for manual transportation of patients for short distances...

.

A scoop stretcher has a structure that can be split vertically into two parts, with shaped 'blades' towards the centre which can be brought together underneath a patient. The two halves are placed separately either side of the patient, and then brought together until securing clips at the top and bottom both engage.

Scoop stretchers reduce the chance of undesirable movement of injured areas during transfer of a trauma patient, as they maintain the patient in a supine alignment during transfer to a stretcher

Stretcher

A stretcher is a medical device used to carry casualties or an incapacitated person from one place to another. It is a simple type of litter, and still called by that name in some cases....

, vacuum mattress

Vacuum mattress

A vacuum mattress, or vacmat, is a medical device used for the immobilisation of patients, especially in case of a vertebra, pelvis or limb trauma . It is also used for manual transportation of patients for short distances...

 or long spine board

Long spine board

A spinal board, also known as a long spine board , longboard, spineboard, or backboard, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care designed to provide rigid support during movement of a patient with suspected spinal or limb injuries...

).

The scoop stretcher can be used for patient transport, provided the patient is strapped. But for comfort reasons, it is recommended to transfer the patient to a vacuum mattress

Vacuum mattress

A vacuum mattress, or vacmat, is a medical device used for the immobilisation of patients, especially in case of a vertebra, pelvis or limb trauma . It is also used for manual transportation of patients for short distances...

 or long spine board

Long spine board

A spinal board, also known as a long spine board , longboard, spineboard, or backboard, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care designed to provide rigid support during movement of a patient with suspected spinal or limb injuries...

 instead, the scoop stretcher is put on the transport device and then opened.

The scoop stretcher is part of the origin of the term "stoop and scoop", or "stay and play". "Stoop and scoop" suggests a scenario in which prompt transport to a hospital

Hospital

A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....

is demanded, while a situation in which there is time to provide care on scene may be considered a "stay and play" scenario.