1. Yes.
2. No, using two strops would have been far more comfortable for the casualty and ensured that any shock wasn't worsened by blood draining from the core to the legs because the casualty would be horizontal not vertical.
3. We had a similar, temporary height restriction for a while due to a winch issue and in that time it was noticeable that crews lost awareness and finesse of techniques for higher winching. Now resolved and back to normal.
A double strop lift is used for all casualties in the water (to avoid inducing shock when winching vertically) and for those land incidents where a stretcher lift is either not practical or necessary; it is quick, efficient and safe.