Figure 5-15. Releasing the casualty from the forest penetrator.
5-13. STOKES LITTER
The Stokes (rescue) litter discussed in paragraph 3-6 can be used to lift a
casualty with a suspected spinal injury. A flotation kit is attached to the litter if the
casualty is in the water. The following procedures are used to lower and raise the
Stokes litter.
a. The hoist operator in the helicopter attaches the four hoist straps to the litter
and attaches the other ends of the straps to the hoist hook.
b. The operator attaches a tag (trailer) line to the litter and lowers the tag line to
ground personnel below. The tag line is held by personnel on the ground to keep the
litter from twisting and swinging while being lowered or raised.
c. Once the ground personnel have the tag line, the operator lowers the Stokes
litter (figure 5-16).
d. After the litter touches the ground and the accumulated static electricity is
discharged, the personnel on the ground disconnect the hoist straps from the hook
(figure 5-17), place the casualty into the litter, secure the casualty to the litter, reconnect
the hoist straps, and notify the hoist operator that the casualty is ready to be lifted.
NOTE:
Once the litter has been unhooked, the helicopter pilot usually raises the
helicopter, repositions the helicopter so he can see the ground personnel, and
lowers the helicopter until the hook is in position again.)
MD0001
5-18