Tare: 19kg (red) + 50kg (blue) + Bridge

This paediatric transport system is the first of a new type of critical care equipment designed to better support the infant or young child in transit. It was funded by the Variety Club of Australia as a donation to Child Flight Inc. Child Flight is a charity providing an emergency medical helicopter for children as well as sourcing funds for medical life support equipment.

It comprises several modules. The Blue sub-frame houses medical oxygen cylinders, electric suction and power supplies for it and any attached Patient Bridge.

The Red Williams Stretcher is designed specifically for the child. It uses removeable ABS plastic plates and waterproof mattresses with 5 point harnesses to properly secure infants and children. There are also adjustable read restraints to stabilised the patient's head and neck. The system allows the patient to be nursed in a supine position or in 5 positions of head-up inclination up (maximum 60 degrees).

Stretcher removal
The photograph shows the red Williams Stretcher being lifted on to the Blue sub-frame. The green stripes should be in alignment. Please note that the lifting poles are designed for this purpose but not to lift the whole system. When that is required, hand-holds are provided at each end of the Blue sub-frame. Each hand-hold is rated to take a weight of 400kg!

Oxygen
2 C-sized oxygen cylinders are fitted. Various brands can be used. There is automatic switching between the cylinders (Cylinder 1 first). An alarm sounds when the pressure in Cylinder 1 falls to 2,000kPa. Should both cylinders be depleted below this pressure, the system will continue to operate from the fuller one.
Each cylinder provides 400L capacity (total 800L). Capacities are displayed on an LCD screen. There is space to carry a spare cylinder (BOC brand only).
Cylinders can be changed without interrupting gas supply to the patient. There are one-way valves to prevent escape of gas from the system when a cylinder is removed.

Suction
An electric sucker is adjustable. The reservoir has a capacity of 1,000ml. When this level is reached within the reservoir, a shut-off valve operates to switch of the suction pump. A bacterial filter is fitted between the vacuum pump and the reservoir. The reservoir should be emptied and cleaned and the filter should be changed after every patient use.

Harness
There are two 5-point harnesses. The smaller is used for patients < 12 kg in weight. The large is used for older children. The harnesses are easily removable for cleaning.

Mattress
A two-piece mattress is attached to the stretcher by Velcro panels. This allows for adjustment in position and easy removal for cleaning. There are slots in the mattress through which the harness straps pass to attach to the stretcher. Take care in positioning the lower mattress so that if the patient is to be nursed head-up, there is sufficient gap between the mattress components. When the stretcher is in an head-up position, the gap between the mattress sections closes.

The System is designed to be 'parasitic' rather than perform to the limits of the endurance range (2 to 18 hours) required by NETS. External sources of power and medical gases are made use of; wherever available. Acceptable sources are 12 or 24-28 volt DC (using a single, dual voltage cable with a standard socket) or 240v AC. The Unit automatically senses the inbound power type and internally switches to using that source. Accordingly the Unit is powered entirely from the vehicle or wall supply when available. An intermittent (2 minute) 'beep' reminds the user that internal power is being used. While on AC power, all internal rechargeable batteries are replenished.

The Unit uses a standardised pin locking system for easy and rigid fixation into road ambulance, helicopter and fixed wing.

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