Rescue equipment
Would it not be a good idea if someone on a current UK SAR flight could post some pics of the rescue equipment in use, as they say a picture is worth .......
By the way, before the disastrous Fastnet Race in 1979, most rescues that did not need a stretcher were safely accomplished using a single NATO strop. The later demise of some casualties removed from the water during the race was suspected to have been caused by them being lifted vertically hence the subsequent use of a 6 foot length of webbing (extension lead) under the knees which was soon replaced by the second strop.
We also carried a longer version of the NATO strop for the larger cas but I'm not sure if this is the case now but with the current obesity problem I don't think even that would suffice in a lot of cases!