THE EFFECTS OF GENDER, TEAM SIZE, AND A SHOULDER HARNESS ON A STRETCHER-CARRY TASK AND POST-CARRY PERFORMANCE .2. A MASS-CASUALTY SIMULATION

This study examined repeated, short-distance stretcher carries and the effects of gender, a shoulder harness, and team size on simulated tra nsportation, defense, and medical treatment of patients, Participants carried a 6.8-kg stretcher, loaded with an 81.6-kg manikin, for a dist ance of 50 m, lifted it onto a simulated ambulance, and returned 50 m to retrieve the next patient. Participants completed as many cycles as possible in 15 min, Dependent measures included number of carries, we apon firing, fine-motor coordination, heart rate, perceived exertion, and physical symptoms. Analysis of variance and post-hoc Newman-Keuls comparison of means revealed that men completed more carries than wome n (18.0 +/- 1.6 vs. 14.5 +/- 2.0 carries, p < 0.001), and women report ed more upper extremity discomfort (p < 0.05). Harness use resulted in slightly faster fine-motor performance (46.1 +/- 8.3 vs. 47.6 +/- 7.7 s; p = 0.03) and less discomfort in the upper extremities (p < 0.05) than hand carries. Four-person teams resulted in reduced discomfort in the neck and upper extremity(p < 0.05) and improved post-carry fine-m otor coordination (47.6 +/- 8.3 vs. 46.0 +/- 7.7 s; p = 0.02), as well as increasing weapon firing accuracy for women (p < 0.05). Four-perso n hand-carry teams completed more carries than any other team-size X h arness combination (p < 0.01). For mass-casualty scenarios, four-perso n teams are recommended. A harness system should be available for two- person and female teams.