Emergency Stretcher Problems EMS Crews Face: How to Fix Them Fast

Patient transport looks easy until you’ve never done it. Roll the stretcher in, load the patient, and roll it out, simple, right? Every EMS professional knows it’s nothing like that. Stretchers get slammed against curbs, dragged across uneven sidewalks, shoved into elevators, and pushed down hospital corridors at full speed. They’re expected to perform flawlessly every single time, no matter how rough the call.

But stretchers may break down. And when they do, it slows you down, adds risk for your patient, and makes your shift harder than it already is. Over time, even the toughest models start showing signs of wear. If you’ve ever cursed under your breath at a jammed wheel in a crowded hallway, you know exactly what we mean.

So, it’s time to talk about the eight most common emergency stretcher problems EMS crews face and how you can fix them fast before they ruin your day.

The Most Common Stretcher Problems EMS Crews Run Into

1. Wheels That Jam or Refuse to Roll Straight

Nothing tests your patience like wheels that drag or lock up halfway through a transfer. It turns a smooth transport into a wrestling match and slows you down when seconds count.

Why it happens: grit and dirt work their way into the bearings, casters get bent from repeated curb drops, or rust sneaks in from poor storage conditions.

Fix it fast: keep wheels clean with a quick blast of compressed air after tough calls, add lubricant where needed, and replace bad casters immediately instead of “making do.”

Gear that helps: Foldable stretchers with fixed feet, like the Folding Stretcher with Handles & Carrying Case, take wheels out of the equation altogether when you’re in tight spots.

2. Locking Mechanisms That Don’t Lock

An unsecured stretcher is one of the worst nightmares in the back of an ambulance. If the lock doesn’t catch, you’re stuck holding your breath and praying it doesn’t slide.

Why it happens: worn latches, dirt in the tracks, or loading patients heavier than the design permits.

Fix it fast: Make sure pins and latches are checked after every shift so they’re easier to use during an emergency. Wipe down locking points, and don’t overload the stretcher.

Gear that helps: Scoop stretchers that have adjustable length and sturdy safety straps (such as the Emergency Scoop Stretcher) can lend stability and added safety.

 

3. Straps That Snap at the Worst Time

If you’ve ever had a strap give way mid-transfer, you know the sinking feeling in your stomach. Straps take abuse every single day, and when they wear down, it puts patients and crews at risk.

Why it happens: constant exposure to body fluids and harsh disinfectants, combined with heavy use. Over time, fabric weakens and stitching starts to fray.

Fix it fast: check straps for fraying, swap them out the second they look questionable, and carry extras in the rig. Wash them with approved cleaners so the fibers don’t break down prematurely.

Gear that helps: the Scoop Stretcher with Two Safety Straps is built with rugged webbing designed to hold up to repeated stress.

4. Upholstery That Tears and Collects Germs

You can wipe down surfaces all day, but if your stretcher upholstery is ripped, bacteria is already inside the padding. A small tear quickly turns into an infection-control problem.

Why it happens: sharp equipment edges cut into the vinyl, constant spraying of disinfectant dries out the material, and years of heavy use simply wear it down.

Fix it fast: patch small cuts with a repair kit before they spread, but replace upholstery once the padding shows. And be careful that stretchers are kept away from unsecured equipment that can tear into them.

Gear that helps: PVC-coated models like the EMS Portable Stretcher resist tears and are waterproof, making decontamination much faster and more reliable.

5. Back-Breaking Lifts That Injure Providers

Ask any EMT what injury they fear most, and you’ll hear the same answer: a blown-out back. Heavy patients and awkward lifts take a toll, and even the strongest crews feel it after years in the field.

Why it happens: lack of lift-assist devices, old stretchers without ergonomic design, and split-second decisions that force bad body mechanics.

Fix it fast: refresh training on lifting techniques, rotate crew roles so the same person isn’t always taking the brunt, and use assist devices whenever possible.

Gear that helps: The Portable Transport Unit with 14 handles spreads the weight across multiple responders so no one gets overloaded.

6. Transfers in Tight Spaces

You surely have been there: Apartments with spiral staircases or bathrooms the size of closets. Getting a stretcher in and out feels impossible sometimes.

Why it happens: large frames that cannot fit through door frames, not maneuvering, or lacking the right equipment at the right time.

Solve it now: practice on alternative carries, maintain lightweight folding stretchers, use scoop models in tight areas; you do not need to roll patients when they do not need to be rolled.

Gear that helps: the Folding Stretcher with Handles packs small, deploys quickly, and handles stairwell rescues better than traditional options. 

7. Struggles with Immobilization Gear

Securing a trauma patient isn’t optional, but spineboards and head immobilizers can make life harder than it should be if they don’t fit or slide around.

Why it happens: outdated immobilizers that don’t hold, straps that slip, or boards and accessories that don’t play nicely together.

Quick repair: ensure your unit standardizes equipment to allow interchangeability of parts, remove immobilizers that fail to remain in place, and practice rapid stabilization.

Gear that helps: pairing a Spinal Immobilization Backboard with a Universal Head Immobilizer gives you a reliable, ready-to-use combo for trauma calls.

8. Storage That Eats Up Space

Ambulance space is always limited, and when medical stretchers hog too much of it, crews are forced to cram gear into awkward spots. That slows you down when you’re under pressure.

Why it occurs: the carrying of only a single type of stretcher, heavy designs that do not fold up, and improper storage habits.

Fix it now: make sure you have a variety of stretchers, fold and position them correctly between calls, and use protectors to ensure that they will last longer.

Gear that helps: Emergency Foldaway Stretchers collapse into compact bags, freeing up critical space without slowing deployment.

Key Takeaways

The bottom line here is that all the stretcher problems on this list have one factor they all share, which is that they slow down care. The time is not something to waste when you work in EMS.

But the good news is that these problems should not be part of the job. With the right mix of maintenance, training, and reliable equipment, your emergency stretcher should be the tool that helps you, not the tool you fight with.

That’s where Line2EMS makes a real difference. Their stretcher collection covers it all, folding models for stairwells, scoop stretchers for trauma, pediatric boards for kids, and durable immobilization gear that fits together seamlessly. Every design is built for the realities of the field: fast deployment, easy cleaning, and dependable strength when it matters most.

At the end of the day, your gear should work as hard as you do. So instead of pushing against broken wheels or fighting frayed straps, invest in equipment you can trust to back you up every single call.