The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1407.2017.1(a-b)
Snowsled Inflatable Rescue Stretchers
20/09/2017
Hermione Cooper
20/09/2017
Two Snowsled inflatable stretchers
plastic, canvas, metal, rubber
a- 215(L) x 68(W)cms b-185(L) x 56(W) cms
2
Two inflatable stretchers with restraining straps
a-yellow, black. b- red,white,black
Snowsled
Mountain rescue stretchers evolved from the various 'litters' which were used to evacuate casualties from the battle fields of the world over eons of time. Early ones were then a piece of canvas or blanket stretched between two pieces of wood.
As the sport of mountaineering progressed so did the technology of rescue stretchers and one of the most unusual developements was the inflatable version. Designed primarily for waterborne rescue by a a guy called Roger Daynes, they had a limited success and in Roger's own words:-
"I let myself down because of not finding enough time to fully explore the possibilities ... I felt there could have been a small backpack version that an individual could deploy."
Though not a commercial success, the idea was good and the stretchers did get some journey time as you will see from the pictures opposite.
Snowsled was owned by Roger Daynes and when he retired in 2017 the two inflatable stretchers were kindly passed on to us. Snowshed continues to trade in a different guise.
Donated by Roger Daynes
20/09/2017
20/09/2017
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
20/09/2017