A transfer mattress includes an upper mattress having three longitudinallyoriented plenumsand three separate inlet/outlet valves that are each arranged in airflowcommunication withtheir respective plenum. First and second of the plenums are arranged inairflowcommunication with one another while a central plenum is arranged in airflowisolation fromthe first plenum and the second plenum so that the first and second plenumsmay be inflatedand deflated independently of the central plenum. A lower inflatable mattressis separatedby a common wall from the upper mattress. A lower inlet/outlet valve isarranged in airflowcommunication with a lower plenum defined by the lower inflatable mattress. Abottom walldefines a plurality of perforations so that when the lower plenum is chargedwith pressurizedair, it escapes under pressure through the perforations to create an airbearing under themattress.
