Abstract: A vacuum mattress of the type having a casing that is loosely filled with a multitude of synthetic plastic components so as to enable the mattress to adapt in shape to the body contour of a person thereon and which is retained in the body contour adapted shape by evacuation of the casing, is provided with support elements projecting above an upper surface plane of a central mattress-forming element and have at least a portion thereof extending in a direction across at least one end thereof. In preferred embodiments, the support elements are formed by separate casings from that of the central element and these casings are evacuatable separately and/or jointly from each other, and the support elements are configured so as to define an opening for a person's head and support for his shoulders.