in the figures is a generic representation of a backboard that could be obtained from any number of sources most of these devices have certain structural attributes in common for instance since they are designed to support a human patient and often one that is unconscious the devices are typically planar elongate structures that are sufficiently stiff to support the patient without excessive flexing of the carrier patient carriers have a plurality of slots and holes for attaching straps which are used for example to strap the patient to the device thereby immobilizing the patient to the degree necessary under the conditions the word u201c backboard u201d as used herein should be understood as a generic reference to all such patient carrier devices backboard 16 shown in fig1 includes three patient straps 18 a 18 b and 18 c these straps are used to strap the patient on the backboard to thereby immobilize the patient and they generally are provided with appropriate clasps to secure the free end or ends as illustrated with the interconnected straps 18 shown in fig1 the lowermost of the three patient straps 18 c is positioned near the patient 39 s knees this type of a strap is referred to as a u201c lock out u201d strap if the patient is unconscious this strap helps prevent the patient 39 s knees from buckling if the patient 39 s head is elevated higher than his or her feet during transport with the present invention the patient likely will be transported with the backboard at an incline or an oblique angle relative to the ground plane that is the patient is transported with the dolly wheels on the ground and the u201c upper u201d end of the backboard being held by the paramedic u2014.