New company, new type of strecher

[Hockey]

Got offered a F/T job (2 24's a week) at a small company that pays crap (min wage). But its something until I find something better.


During my EMT class, and my last job, we used Stryker cots. I asked today what they use, and they said Ferno. Never heard of them before. I've seen their cot and it looks like an aluminum pos? Anyone familiar with these Ferno stretchers? Hard to use?

 

[Sasha]

They're probably old and need to be oiled up quite often(I have NEVER seen a new Ferno.) but they're no harder to use than the strykers. They're actually a little bit lighter.

 

[curt]

I personally loathe them and give them a wide berth when there's a stryker available. We had one at our EMT class, just because they had one and they're still used in some places, unfortunately. The biggest issue is that they're just not as user-friendly as the strykers are. They're not a game-ender, it's just going to take some getting used to if you're used to the styker standard.

 

[Hockey]

They're probably old and need to be oiled up quite often(I have NEVER seen a new Ferno.) but they're no harder to use than the strykers. They're actually a little bit lighter.

Is there the handles at the feet like the Stryker?

Theres a stretcher that I've seen somewhere has 2 latches in order to collapse it, but don't think its that one...or I hope not...

Also, can you break them down easily like the Stryker (like when you get into a small room)

 

[Sasha]

Theres a stretcher that I've seen somewhere has 2 latches in order to collapse it, but don't think its that one...or I hope not...

We had one of those in class, but that stretcher was older than me, I think

It's easy to collapse, you just clear off the back and slide up the circle thingies and fold down. The lever is at the feet.

No handles, though.

I don't mind the fernos. Like I said, their lighter and easier to clean, in my humble opinion.

 

[firecoins]

You never heard of Ferno? Stretchers work fine. Strykers are better.

 

[fortsmithman]

My service uses Stryker stretchers but we use other items from Ferno like the KED thats a ferno and our back boards are ferno I think.

 

[BossyCow]

Be very careful. Familiarize yourself with the raising and lowering mechanism. We used the Fernos for years and upgraded to Strykers. Fernos definitely have issues. Biggest issue with the Fernos were a tendency to be accidently lowered. Mechanisms can be a bit touchy if you are unfamiliar with them. They are not impossible, we did use them for years. But the Strykers were such an amazing improvement we'll never go back.

 

[JPINFV]

I've used both Fernos and Strykers. They operate exactly the same with an upper and lower handle at the feet and a side handle. I agree that there are problems with them from time to time being touchy or locking into a level. The one's that I've used all had side handles that we didn't have on the Strykers (the side handles are available for Strykers), which were helpful. The other useful feature was that the head of the gurney can lock at a 45 degree down angle which can be useful with the newer ones also being able to lock at a 45 degree up angle.

 

[vquintessence]

Ferno's all the way, hands down. Lightweight, simplicity, cost and all metallic surfaces (easy cleaning) win everytime. Do you really want porous foam grips that will be hard to cleanse bacteria out of? Do you need the extra 200 lb capacity, or should you be calling a bariatric transport?

What's this "locking up" with Fernos you all are talking about? Easy remedies: Maintenance? Take it out of service when sand/grit get into the joints and lube? Besides, on the few occasions the ferno does lock up, all ya do is raise it while holding the trigger then it works good as new.

 

[Ridryder911]

Ferno's are the oldest brand. Their more durable and easier to use than Stryker. We went to Stryker power pro's and I would never go back but Ferno was the tradition until recently. ( I can tell probies, when they never heard of Ferno's) In some areas, Strykers are never heard of...

R/r 911

 

[imurphy]

Totally depends on the Ferno you have! Who here remembers the York 2's!!

Anyway I doubt you'd have a York 2 or 4, more likely a Pioneer, or if you get lucky a 35X Flex. REALLY REALLY lucky and you';ll get a Powerflex

Back home we used the Pegasus and Megasus. (pic below) A nice hydrolic strecher.

For info on the Ferno str's have a look here. There's product guides there too.

But get familiar with em!

 

[Jon]

I was raised on The Ferno model 35. We went to manual Strykers, and now powered Strykers, but our EMT class still learns and uses the Fernos, as they were KEPT for the EMT class when we bought new powered cots.

This is an X-frame cot. I have also heard it called a 1 and 1/2 man cot, as you need 1 person to lift and hold the foot end, while a person uses 1 arm to raise the undercarriage for loading.

The original standard was the Model 35A X-frame cot... upper and lower releases on the foot end, as well as a side handle for lifitng on the side. The head-end frame folds down, same as the Styker, but with a different mechanism.

The side rails fold OUT and down, rather than just folding down... different mechanism, similar results.

Traditional Ferno's are usually weight-rated at 400 or 500 lbs... I never saw one higher, except for the Proflexx ones.

there is another style of cot you might see... the H-frame, or 1-man cot:

These are designed to roll into an ambulance with just 1 person at the foot, as the undercarriage collapses up and folds up.

 

[imurphy]

Just for a bit of Nostalgia, be happy you're in the job now. When I started we used these:

Notice, way to attach to the ambulance. These had to be side-lifted onto, abd off of the rig. The handles extended for "easier" carrying. This one, the york 4, was an improvement on the york 2 as it had theX frame and could be raised and lowered to height for transfering. They were also pretty unstable in the high position.

 

[emtfarva]

I have used both the Fernos above and the Strykers. They both have their good points and bad. The fernos are lighter. I don't like the side rails. They also don't roll as well as the Strykers. I like the Stryker's side rails.

 

[Hockey]

I was raised on The Ferno model 35. We went to manual Strykers, and now powered Strykers, but our EMT class still learns and uses the Fernos, as they were KEPT for the EMT class when we bought new powered cots.

This is an X-frame cot. I have also heard it called a 1 and 1/2 man cot, as you need 1 person to lift and hold the foot end, while a person uses 1 arm to raise the undercarriage for loading.

The original standard was the Model 35A X-frame cot... upper and lower releases on the foot end, as well as a side handle for lifitng on the side. The head-end frame folds down, same as the Styker, but with a different mechanism.

The side rails fold OUT and down, rather than just folding down... different mechanism, similar results.

Traditional Ferno's are usually weight-rated at 400 or 500 lbs... I never saw one higher, except for the Proflexx ones.

there is another style of cot you might see... the H-frame, or 1-man cot:

These are designed to roll into an ambulance with just 1 person at the foot, as the undercarriage collapses up and folds up.

I think they have the 2nd one. They also have another type but don't recall seeing anything. Waiting to start my ride times

I picked up a part time (but work as much as I want-min 72 hours a month all 24 and can pick up a 12 to work 36 straight) county ems job about 110 miles north of me right on the lake. Should be some fun for sure

 

[Sasha]

Oooh. I didn't know Ferno made H-frames. I like those better, it would be easier to get a heavier person into the ambulance with a two person crew. You could two point it.

 

[Shishkabob]

God I hate Fernos and don't know how they were so widely used.

Strykers are just SO user friendly, and pretty colors. I mean, look at it!

 

[Jon]

I was wondering who would be the first one - that was all I could think of every time I typed the name.

A few friends are in the local PA National Guard unit that is a Styker brigade... and is over playing in the sandbox of Iraq.

And if you are going to post Styker photos... at least post the one appropriate for this site :

 

[EMTinNEPA]

Personally, I prefer Stryker litters. They're fairly idiot proof. Fernos, on the other hand, depends on the model. If you have a newer model, then no problem. If you have one of the older models that doesn't collapse all the way to the floor and has to be unlocked and placed in "load" to get it in the back of the ambulance, you might run into some problems because there's a specific order in which you have to perform the steps. Once you have the pattern down, the older Fernos aren't too bad.