What Is a Spider Strap?
A spider strap is a patient immobilisation system used to secure a patient to a spinal board, scoop stretcher or ambulance stretcher during emergency extrication and transport. The Spider Strap DW-SP01 (VM-SSDWSP01) has multiple straps radiating from a central junction, which resembles a spider. Each strap is colour-coded to a specific body region: head, chest, waist, hips, knees and ankles. The colour coding lets EMS responders apply the correct strap to the correct body zone quickly under time pressure, giving consistent and systematic restraint.
Clinical Application in Trauma Care
In trauma emergencies, particularly suspected spinal injuries, keeping the spine immobilised during extrication and transport is critical to preventing secondary spinal cord injury. The spider strap gives a standardised, rapid method of securing the patient to the spinal board after a log-roll or scoop transfer. The multi-point design spreads the securing force across several body regions at once, so no single area is over-compressed while the whole body stays immobilised. This suits pre-hospital care, ambulance transport and emergency extrication.
Construction, Compatibility and Supply
The DW-SP01 is made from durable, high-visibility webbing with a quick-release buckle on each strap, allowing rapid patient release at the receiving facility. The central hub sits at the patient’s centre of gravity for balanced tension across all straps. It is compatible with standard spinal boards (for example the DDJ-6B), scoop stretchers and ambulance trolley stretchers. Available in South Africa from Vital Medical, it suits EMS services, ambulance operators, emergency departments and occupational health and industrial emergency response teams. Facilities can request a free quote through the Vital Medical website and receive a personalised response within 24 hours.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TABLE
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vital Medical |
| Model | DW-SP01 |
| SKU | VM-SSDWSP01 |
| Type | Multi-point spider patient restraint system |
| Colour Coding | Yes (position-coded straps: head, chest, waist, hips, knees, ankles) |
| Buckle Type | Quick-release, one per strap |
| Material | Durable high-visibility webbing |
| Compatible With | Spinal boards (e.g. DDJ-6B), scoop stretchers, ambulance stretchers |
| Application | Trauma immobilisation, spinal protection, EMS transport |
| Setting | Pre-hospital, ambulance, emergency extrication |
