a stretcher for traumatized patients comprises a rigid board having a central core of polyimide foam and a skin of graphite reinforced expoxy ; this board is exceptionally radiolucent . the board has built in handles for transporting the patient , straps for holding a patient on the board , and means for applying traction to a patient . the stretcher is designed for transporting the patient and applying a variety of diagnostic tests to the patient , including computer aided tomography scanning , without removing the patient from the stretcher . it also facilitates efforts to make a closed reduction of a cervical fracture with fluoroscopic monitoring .