b. Mixed Load Configuration. Use a four-man litter squad to load litter
casualties. Load the upper tier first, then the middle tier, and finally the lower tier (most
seriously injured casualty). Note that the casualties are loaded crosswise, not with their
head toward the front of the helicopter. Some general instructions for loading casualties
are given in the following paragraphs.
(1)
Carry the litter casualty to helicopter using a four-man carry.
(2) Turn so the casualty is perpendicular to the cargo compartment with the
casualty's head toward the rear of the compartment.
(3) Lift the litter until the litter handles at the casualty's head can be easily
grasped by two crewmen in the rear of the cargo compartment.
(4) The two crewmembers take the handles from the front bearers and
guide the litter into the compartment (figure 5-9). The front bearers can move around
the front of the helicopter to the opposite side and assist in supporting the litter and
placing the litter handles in the brackets. If crewmembers cannot assist, the front
bearers set the front stirrups on the floor of the helicopter, move around the front of the
helicopter to the other side, and lift and secure the front litter handles.
Figure 5-9. Loading a litter into an Iroquois air ambulance (mixed load).
MD0001
5-12