Who calls the commands during a rescue operation?

Who calls the commands during a rescue operation?

• A. Safety Officer
• B. Litter Captain
• C. Rescue Officer
• D. Medical Officer

Answer: (B)

During a rope rescue, the person directing the movement of the patient in the litter is the Litter Captain. This role is responsible for controlling the pace and sequence of the haul, issuing the needed commands to the hauling and rope teams as the litter is lowered, raised, or moved, and keeping the patient secure and stable throughout the extraction. The Rescue Officer oversees the overall operation and makes broad strategic decisions, while the Safety Officer and Medical Officer monitor safety and the patient’s condition, respectively, but they don’t issue the routine lift commands to the crew. If a hazard appears, the Safety Officer can call for a halt, but day-to-day lift commands come from the Litter Captain.

During a rope rescue, the person directing the movement of the patient in the litter is the Litter Captain. This role is responsible for controlling the pace and sequence of the haul, issuing the needed commands to the hauling and rope teams as the litter is lowered, raised, or moved, and keeping the patient secure and stable throughout the extraction. The Rescue Officer oversees the overall operation and makes broad strategic decisions, while the Safety Officer and Medical Officer monitor safety and the patient’s condition, respectively, but they don’t issue the routine lift commands to the crew. If a hazard appears, the Safety Officer can call for a halt, but day-to-day lift commands come from the Litter Captain.