Sked® Basic Rescue System (SK-200)
The original flexible rescue stretcher for confined-space, high-angle, technical, and land rescue — rigid when packaged, backpackable when stowed. Made in the USA.
What is the Sked® Basic Rescue System? It is the definitive flexible stretcher (SK-200) for confined-space, high-angle, technical, and land-based rescue, deployed by military units, fire departments, tactical teams, and rescue professionals worldwide. Low-density E-Z Glide polyethylene stays flexible to roll and pack, then becomes rigid once a patient is secured. Ships as a complete system — Cordura® backpack, lift slings, tow strap, carabiner, and removable handles — in Steel Buckle or AustriAlpin Cobra® Quick Release configurations.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SKEDCO (Made in USA) |
| Model — Steel Buckles | SK-200 | NSN 6530-01-620-2575 |
| Model — Cobra Buckles | SK-200C | NSN 6530-01-575-4004 |
| Deployed Dimensions | 91 cm × 244 cm (3 ft × 8 ft) |
| Packed Dimensions | 23 cm dia × 91 cm (9 in × 36 in) |
| System Weight | ~9 kg / 17–19 lb (complete) |
| Stretcher Material | Low-density E-Z Glide polyethylene |
| Pack Material | Cordura® nylon backpack / towing harness |
| Hardware (Steel) | Solid brass grommets, nylon webbing, steel buckles |
| Hardware (Cobra) | AustriAlpin Cobra® aluminum side-release (rated 3,000 lb / 1,360 kg) |
| Horizontal Lift Slings | 45 kN webbing tensile strength |
| Vertical Lift Sling | 31 kN rope tensile strength |
| Temperature Range | Usable to −84°C; melts at 230–260°C |
| Certification | CE-EN 1497:2007 |
| Service Life | Max 10 years; inspect yearly and after each use |
| Available Colors | International Orange; O.D. Green (military/tactical) |
What's Included — Complete System
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| SK-201 Sked® Stretcher | Full-length low-density polyethylene rescue platform |
| SK-202 Cordura® Backpack | Durable pack doubles as a towing harness |
| SK-203 Horizontal Lift Slings (pair) | 45 kN webbing for helicopter / crane hoisting |
| SK-204 Sked® Tow Strap | Drag evacuation over any terrain |
| SK-205 Removable Webbing Handles (set of 4) | Multiple carry points for team carry |
| SK-206 Steel Locking 'D' Carabiner | Large-format locking carabiner for rigging |
| SK-207 Vertical Lift Sling | 31 kN rope for vertical hoisting in shafts or caves |
Key Features
- Rigidity on demand. Flat, the sheet rolls and packs; once the patient is secured the wrapped system goes rigid, protecting the casualty through tight passages, rubble, and technical terrain where rigid litters cannot go.
- Multi-mode rescue. One system handles dragging, team carry, horizontal helicopter hoist, and vertical shaft/cave extraction in a single backpackable package.
- Two buckle variants. Steel (SK-200) is the proven original; Cobra (SK-200C) uses AustriAlpin quick-release hardware rated 3,000 lb, cutting packaging time roughly in half.
- Extreme temperature performance. E-Z Glide polyethylene stays usable to −84°C for alpine, arctic, and high-altitude work.
- Compact, backpackable. Packed to just 23 cm dia × 91 cm — fits through manholes, mine shafts, and confined industrial spaces.
- Military / tactical availability. O.D. Green option and federal NSN numbers support government procurement.
- CE-EN 1497:2007 certified. Third-party validation of the lift-sling attachment system for international deployments.
Who Is This For?
| Audience | Why It Fits |
|---|---|
| Fire & Rescue | Unmatched confined-space performance for structural collapse, mine, and tunnel incidents where rigid baskets cannot maneuver. |
| Military Medical (68W / SARC / PJ) | NSN-stocked, O.D. Green available; CASEVAC from buildings, vehicles, and urban terrain. Helicopter-hoist capable without extra rigging. |
| Law Enforcement / SWAT | Low-profile pack and rapid drag for ballistic casualty extraction from buildings, stairwells, and vehicle bays. |
| Cave & Mountain Rescue | 31 kN vertical sling enables single-rope extraction from caves, shafts, and cliffsides at extreme sub-zero temps. |
| Industrial Safety | Confined-space entry programs in petroleum, chemical, and utility sectors; sanitizes and redeploys. |
| EMS / Critical Care Transport | Moves patients from stairwells, crush scenarios, and wilderness where wheeled cots cannot reach. |
Operating Notes — Deployment Sequence
Operating Notes
- Unroll the stretcher on a flat surface beside the patient; the backpack converts to the towing harness.
- Log-roll or slide the patient onto the platform, centered lengthwise; maintain spinal precautions as clinically indicated.
- Pull the sides up and thread the securing straps — steel buckles weave, Cobra buckles snap in (~50% faster).
- Confirm the wrapped system is rigid and the integrated harness is taut.
- Select extraction mode: drag (tow strap), team carry (webbing handles), horizontal hoist (45 kN slings), or vertical lift (31 kN sling + carabiner).
- Clean per manufacturer guidance, inspect hardware and webbing, and record the date of use; annual inspection, 10-year max service life.
Why the Sked® Remains the Standard
Rigid basket litters need a clear path, ceiling height, and team size that confined spaces rarely afford. The Sked® wraps around the patient and slides through doorways, turnarounds, and debris fields where rigid litters jam — and its integrated slings are already aboard when a helicopter hoist is needed.
The CE-EN 1497:2007 certification is third-party validation of the lift harness, not a manufacturer claim. The AustriAlpin Cobra® buckle option on the SK-200C uses the same fastener technology found in high-end mountaineering and parachute systems, specified by teams that measure packaging time in seconds.
The Sked® is also a force multiplier — one or two rescuers can drag a packaged patient clear of an IDLH environment without waiting for full team assembly. For paired use, see EMS response bags and tactical medical backpacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
SK-200 (Steel) vs. SK-200C (Cobra)? Identical stretcher, pack, slings, tow strap, and carabiner. The SK-200C swaps steel buckles for AustriAlpin Cobra® aluminum quick-release buckles rated 3,000 lb that clip and release under tension — about 50% faster packaging, preferred for tactical and high-tempo rescue.
Maximum patient weight? SKEDCO does not publish a single figure; the 45 kN horizontal / 31 kN vertical sling ratings far exceed practical working loads. Consult SKEDCO for formal load certification specific to your authority's standards.
Water rescue? Yes — the polyethylene is waterproof and hardware is non-corroding. Optional SK-600-series flotation logs add buoyancy; the SK-650 bundles the SK-200 with CO₂-inflatable logs for rapid water deployment.
Training required? SKEDCO recommends formal confined-space, packaging, and rigging training before operational use. High-angle, vertical, and helicopter operations require rigging competency; many technical-rescue and fire academy programs include Sked® operations.
Service life & inspection? Max 10 years from manufacture; inspect annually and after every use — stretcher integrity, webbing, buckle function, carabiner gate, and sling stitching. Remove from service on any functional compromise; hardware is individually replaceable.
Compatible with the Oregon Spine Splint II? Yes — the OSS (SK-300 series) can be used inside the Sked® for spinal immobilization in confined spaces. The SK-800 Complete Rescue System bundles the SK-200, SK-300, and SK-600 flotation system.
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All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Available Options:
- Cobra Buckles
- Steel Buckles
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
