Compare a litter carry with a rope-assisted hoist; when is each method appropriate in a SAR operation?

• A. Litter carry is a manual conveyance over terrain when hoist is unavailable; rope-assisted hoist is used for inaccessible or dangerous terrain; ensure trained personnel and equipment.
• B. Litter carry should always be used on all terrain; rope hoist only for water rescues.
• C. Rope-assisted hoist is manual; litter carry uses machinery.
• D. Hoist is for quick drafts; litter carry is for medical emergencies.

Answer: (B)

In SAR operations, you choose the transport method based on the terrain, access, and patient condition. A litter carry is a manual conveyance where rescuers physically carry the patient over terrain that can be navigated on foot. It relies on proper lifting technique, team coordination, and frequent reassessment of the patient’s stability and the rescuers’ fatigue. This method is appropriate when the ground is passable, the patient can tolerate movement with care, and you don’t have dependable access to mechanical lifting equipment.

A rope-assisted hoist is used when the terrain is inaccessible or dangerous for foot transport—such as steep, unstable, or obstructed areas, cliffs, canyons, or situations where ground distance would expose rescuers to unacceptable risk. It involves ropes, anchors, and often external pull or winch systems, and it requires trained personnel, equipment checks, and safety protocols. This method can move a patient quickly and with less physical strain on the team when ground transport isn’t feasible.

So, the best approach isn’t that one method is used in all cases or limited to a single scenario. It’s about matching the method to the environment: use a litter carry when terrain allows and the patient can tolerate it; use a rope-assisted hoist when access is blocked or dangerous. The other options misstate the roles and limitations of each technique.