Ensuring that medical supplies get to the people that need them during or after a crisis is very important. This could be the difference between the number of lives saved or lost.
This is why it is important for people responsible for getting these items to the people that need them to do so. For more on this subject, you can visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449997/
Medical cots are one of the necessary medical supplies that should be provided. More than making sure they end up in the right place, it is important that they are of premium quality. This is so that they will serve their purpose and certain complications will not arise.
It is for this reason that this article will discuss 10 qualities of a good medical cot. We advise everyone (especially those in the Emergency Medical Service business) to pay rapt attention. This is because the information shared here will come in very handy.
Some Qualities of a Good Medical Cot
Many of the manufacturers in the business of producing these items venture into the production because of the huge market all across the world. This is not a problem except that some of them come up with substandard items.
So, you need to understand the features of a good one to make the right choice. Against this backdrop, listed and explained below are some of the features you should look out for before buying a medical cot:
Made with Quality Materials
A wide range of materials can be used to make this product. For instance, the frame of many of these products is made using options like lightweight steel and aluminum. For the part where the user sleeps on, options like polyester, cotton, and wool can be used. You should make sure that the materials used are top quality.
Durable and Long-Lasting
Medical cots are makeshift items for the most part. But even at that, you should not settle for something that is not durable and long-lasting.
Paying attention to the materials used to make the product (as explained above) is one way to make sure of this. This is a crucial thing to consider so that you will use the item for a very long time.
Speaking of durability, the cot should be able to hold people of massive size. This is especially helpful for obese people.
Best Suited for the Environment
You need to consider the environment where the cot will be used before making the purchase. This is because cots that are good in a particular location may not be so appropriate in another.
For instance, we expect that cots with mosquito nets will be used by people in places that have mosquitoes. This is so that the users will not contract malaria.
Also, options that are used in shelters should have a footing that does not damage the ground. However, this requirement does not apply to every place. This is why you need to get something that is best suited for the environment where it would be used.
Easy to Set Up
The right kind should offer comfort for people using it. But this should not come at the expense of convenience while setting up the cot. From the moment it is disassembled from the pack, setting it up should be as easy as possible.
However, the fact that it can be easily set up should not affect the durability of the product. You can check out Westcot medical cots to understand this point better.
Eco-Friendly Materials
The materials used to make the product should be eco-friendly. This is in the best interest of the people using it and the environment as well.
So, you should make sure of this before buying any product. This is important because products that are not eco-friendly can negatively affect the people that use them.
Mini Storage Compartment
Frankly, this is not mandatory. However, we strongly advise that you get a cot that has this feature. This is because it makes using it a lot more helpful than only for sleeping and relaxing.
The mini storage compartment should be able to help secure things like mobile phones, water bottles, medication, flashlights, and some other things. However, this is not a major yardstick for determining the quality of a cot. This is especially because cheaper ones may not have this feature.
Safe for Use
There are many situations where cots can be used. This can be a makeshift bed for internally displaced people because of war or natural disaster. It could also be for paramedic operations amongst other reasons.
Regardless of the reason, it needs to be safe for use. For instance, those that use it to attend to people that are injured need it to be safe with features such as sturdy straps.
Lightweight
People that use this medical supply are usually very mobile. So, they need it to be very portable, compact, and easy to use. As a result, you should get something that is lightweight. This is so that it would be easy to move it around.
Water Resistant Material
We strongly advise that you go for something water-resistant. By water-resistant, we mean something that will not be negatively affected when exposed to water.
Paying attention to this is equally very important if you will get a product that is durable and long-lasting. So, make sure what you end up with is water-resistant.
The Right Length
People in the Emergency Medical Service line of work need to understand that they will come across people of different heights. So, this should inform their choice of a cot.
We advise that you go for something that is very lengthy. This is because short people can still maneuver their way around such. However, the case is not the same if it is the other way around. The whole point is making sure the cot has the right length.
On a Final Note
Getting a top quality cot regardless of what it would be used for is very important. Also, the same should apply to every other medical supply. If you are interested in knowing other items that are considered medical supplies, you can read this.
We have discussed 10 qualities of a good medical cot in this article. We advise you to make informed decisions using the points shared here when the need arises.