It's a scenario that we all hope will never happen, but what do you do if a fire breaks out on your premises? How do you evacuate all the patients in your care both quickly and safely?

With this question in mind Allison Backhouse developed the AlbacMat, a flexible stretcher that can be used to evacuate immobile people from nursing homes, hospitals, airplanes, trains, pubs, clubs or even schools and hotels in the event of a fire or similar emergency.

The AlbacMat consists of a red nylon shroud bonded to a polycarbonate flexible board. The board allows the AlbacMat to glide over most types of surface including carpet, vinyl, concrete, bitumen and grass without building up heat. Two velcro straps restrain the patient while a foot pocket secures the feet. Various handles allow one person to safely evacuate patients from most hazardous situations.