Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. For ultra-light sleds, a rope or strap is passed through a hole in the sled and affixed directly to a load (e.g., firewood, a deer carcass, etc.). This imposes forces on the load, while merely keeping the sled beneath the load that is being dragged. For rescue sleds, a strong strap is passed through slots around the periphery. This distributes forces in ways that avoid tearing, and it provides secure handholds, allowing people to lift and carry an injured person in a manner comparable to a backboard. A rescue sled including straps weighs only about 6 pounds, and can be carried on foot for miles, affixed to a backpack, making these sleds available immediately when needed.