Transporting a critically ill, injured or medically needy patient at sea or on water by the means of medical transports is just as delicate an operation as on land. The MAST 25 shock-absorbing stretcher support for nautical use from the Italian company Stem is a state-of-the-art device that guarantees maximum comfort and safety.
In the world of nautical rescue, when navigating offshore or along the coast, the emphasis is almost always on how to communicate the emergency taken on board and get the rescue operation underway quickly. Being precisely located is also a crucial factor in the success of the operation, especially in bad weather and reduced visibility.
Nautical Rescue by the means of medical transports
However, an issue that is just as fundamental, and one that unfairly takes a back seat in the narrative of emergencies at sea, is the transportation of any persons injured, ill or in need of immediate medical assistance. This, too, is a crucial point in medical transports. If something goes wrong, the situation can worsen, even seriously. Indeed, moving the injured person or those in need of treatment safely from the scene of the emergency to dry land is a very delicate and critical operation. One has to move on water under tight time constraints and in all weather conditions. Apart from the case of a gale where transport is by helicopter.
Moreover, the patient almost always has to be stabilised, in a lying position. It cannot in any way deal with jolts, vibrations or, even worse, accidental blows and falls that would be detrimental to his or her safety. But the same requirements for maximum safety and stability also apply to simple maritime transport. In which, however, if the distances are large and the sea is rough or other boats are passing, the risk for the patient of receiving blows or jolts is very high.
Fast, safe and shock-free medical transports
The means of transport may be a vessel expressly dedicated to rescue, e.g. a water ambulance. In any case, the key question is how to ensure that, during the hectic phases of the emergency, the handling of the patient in medical transports is not traumatic. What is needed in these cases is a shock-absorbing stretcher support that guarantees maximum comfort and safety for patients.
Such as, for example, MAST 25, the first device capable of absorbing both vertical and lateral shocks due to rolling transmitted to the patient during high-speed navigation on a rough sea. It was designed and produced by the Stem company of Medesano (Parma), founded in 1986 by Ezio Menna. Now it is a European leader in the healthcare transport sector and the world’s leading manufacturer of stretcher supports, with a constantly expanding global market.
MAST 25 is the latest achievement by Stem in the medical transports on water sector. This device is the result of the Marine department’s long experience in the nautical sector and in anti-vibration systems for road ambulances. In addition to being indispensable in emergencies, the MAST 25 is a device that increases the safety, comfort and quality of life of all those people who, living on islands or lagoons, such as those of Venice, Grado or Marano, need to be transported periodically to hospitals or medical centres for treatment, analysis, operations and health care.
Its strength is hydropneumatic cushioning
It consists of a special cushioned stretcher support for nautical use, with hydropneumatic suspension that is self-adjusting according to the patient’s weight. In practice, the system is equipped with a hydraulic power unit that automatically adjusts the suspension according to the actual weight of the patient.
It is particularly suitable for high-speed boats and vessels. MAST 25 is able to absorb shocks due to wave impact of up to 10 g, thanks to a suspension stroke of 500 mm.
The MAST 25 allows loading of self-loading and basket-type stretchers and can also be used as an upholstered bench with backrest for passengers. It has the possibilitỳ of adjusting the height of the board and the inclination of the stretcher by +/- 15° in a cushioned or rigid position. It is also possible to lock the suspension to perform cardiac massage or position the stretcher. That is really important to allow the patient in different positions, e.g. head up and legs down or vice versa.
Maximum stability of patient and medical equipment
Installation of the MAST 25 on board requires only a suitable structural fixation on the floor and a 12 or 24 V DC electrical connection. In addition, the holder also has attachment points for medical equipment, such as the defibrillator, lung ventilator, infusion pump, pole, etc. In essence, these devices are also protected from stress.
The MAST 25 shock-absorbing stretcher support for nautical use produced by Stem is a highly technological and unique device, confirming that the Italian company is absolutely at the forefront and always striving to improve the performance of rescue activities. And we hope that it will spread more and more, in Italy and abroad.
