RESCUE SYSTEMS 1
CHAPTER 13
THE RESCUE LITTER
CHAPTER 13 - THE RESCUE LITTER
The rescue litter, or Stokes basket as it is often referred to, has been the standard for victim removal
over rough terrain for many years. It is designed for lifting and lowering the victim with a rigging
system or for being hand carried. This device is not used by itself for spinal immobilization. It may be
used, however, with other devices to achieve spinal immobilization. Due to its size, it is not easily used
in a confined space or limited access area. This device is bulky and will require at least two rescuers to
carry it to the victim unless it is transported by a rigging system.
There are a variety of rescue litters designed for rescue work. The steel frame rescue litters are the
most commonly used in the rescue field. Steel frame rescue litters can be found in different
configurations. There are rectangular litters for accommodating large back boards, break-apart litters
for ease of storage or carrying in the wilderness, split leg litters which limit the use of standard back
boards, and plastisol-coated litters which have a rubberized coating for nonsparking and
nonconducting requirements.
Plastic rescue litters are typically not considered the best choice for rope rescue operations due to lack
of structural durability. There are two basic types of plastic rescue litters. One type has a metal frame,
which provides structural support designed for rope rescue operations. The other type has a metal top
rail only. While suitable for water or snow rescues, plastic rescue litters generally are not suitable for
rope rescue operations. Regardless of the rescue litters being used, their components need to be
inspected prior to use.
COMPONENTS
Steel Frame Rescue Litter




Main frame
Ribs
Skids
Inserts
 Chicken wire
 Nylon mesh
Figure 13.1
Plastic Rescue Litter


Main frame
Plastic shell
Figure 13.2
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CHAPTER 13
THE RESCUE LITTER
RESCUE SYSTEMS 1
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Rescue litters should be inspected for bends, cracks, or breaks in the main frame, broken welds, broken
or cracked plastic shell, and damage to inserts. Normal cleaning can be accomplished by using soap
and water. Decontamination shall be done as per department procedures. Rescue litters should remain
out of direct sunlight when not in use.
VICTIM LASHING
The victim lashing in a rescue litter consists of a pelvic lash and a chest lash, which is referred to as the
interior lash. The interior lash keeps the victim from sliding out of the rescue litter at the head or foot
ends. The exterior lash keeps the victim from coming out of the top of the rescue litter. All three lashes
can be made with 20' lengths of webbing. Depending on the size of the victim different lengths of
webbing may be necessary. In order to lessen abrasion to the lashing from other surfaces, do not wrap
the main frame.
Chest Lash
1. Before beginning the chest lash, the webbing used for the pelvic lash should be placed in the litter.
2. Lay a 20' piece of webbing across the litter with the middle at the point where the victim's crotch
will be.
1. Form an 18" in the middle of a 20' piece of webbing and lay it in the litter so that the top of the
loop is where the top of the victim's head will be.
2. Pass the loop over the victim's head to nipple line.
3. Wrap the webbing ends under each arm and pass through loop at chest.
4. Remove slack ensuring crossed webbing at victim's shoulder blades does not ride up on neck.
5. Tie an overhand knot in the webbing around the loop at the point it passes over the nipples on each
side.
6. Tie a round turn and two half hitches at the ends of the webbing around a rib below the victim's
waist where the rib meets the main frame. (Figure 13.3)
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CHAPTER 13
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Figure 13.3
Litter, Chest Lash
Pelvic Lash
1. Pull midpoint of webbing between legs up to victim's waist creating a 6" triangle.
2. Pass ends of webbing around thighs and through triangle pulling up towards shoulders to remove
slack.
3. Tie an overhand knot in the webbing on each side at the point it passes through the triangle.
4. Tie a round turn and two half hitches at the ends of the webbing around a rib near the victim's
shoulders where the rib meets the main frame.
Figure 13.4
Litter, Pelvic Lash
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CHAPTER 13
THE RESCUE LITTER
Exterior Lash
1. Place a 20' piece of webbing across the victim's legs with the mid
point at or below the knees.
2. Pass the ends of the webbing around the rib at or below the
victim's knees on both sides where the rib meets the main frame.
DO NOT WRAP THE MAIN FRAME!
3. Cross the webbing and pass the ends of the webbing around the
next rib moving towards the head.
4. Repeat this operation until webbing passes around the ribs near
the victim's shoulders.
5. Tie a round turn and two half hitches at one end of the webbing
around the rib to secure the end.
6. Remove slack by pulling webbing from secured end toward free
end.
7. Tie a round turn and two half hitches with the free end around the
rib to secure the webbing.
Figure 13.5
Litter, Exterior Lash
RESCUE LITTER RIGGING
The rescue litter can be rigged for horizontal lift, vertical lift, and low angle carry. To rig the rescue
litter a commercial stretcher harness, rope pre-rig, or improvised pre-rig is required to connect the
rescue litter to the rope rescue system. In this class, we will be
using the rope pre-rig.
Figure 13.6
Rope Pre-Rig
Pre-Rig Construction
Rope Pre-Rig (Two Are Required To Rig A Rescue
Litter)
1. Tie a figure eight on a bight in the middle of a 16' rescue
rope.
2. Tie a figure eight on a bight at the end of each leg of the
pre-rig.
3. Attach a prusik loop above each figure eight on a bight
with a three-wrap hitch.
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CHAPTER 13
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4. Attach a carabiner to the bight and the prusik loop on each leg of the pre-rig.
Improvised Pre-Rig with Webbing (Two Are Required To Rig A Rescue Litter)
1. Tie a figure eight on a bight in the middle of a 20' length of webbing.
2. Tie an overhand on a bight 1' down from the center knot on each tail.
3. Pull the webbing ends through the same attachment points on the litter as those used for the rope
pre-rig.
4. Pass the ends of the webbing through the overhand on a bight and adjust length so that the victim's
head is slightly higher than the feet.
5. Tie off the ends of the webbing with two half hitches.
Low Angle
The low angle rescue litter rigging can be rigged for a three or a four-person carry. The number of litter
tenders may depend on the victim's weight or available personnel.
Three Litter Tenders
1. Rig a litter for vertical raising at the head of the litter. A 5' length of webbing is the preferred
length for this sling.
2. Attach the figure eight on a bight knots in the end of the main and belay lines to an anchor plate or
multi-directional ring with a steel carabiner.
Figure 13.7
Litter Rigging, Low Angle, 3 Person
3. Attach the sling at the head of the rescue litter to the anchor plate with a steel carabiner.
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CHAPTER 13
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RESCUE SYSTEMS 1
4. Attach the center figure eight on a bight from one half of a pre-rig to the anchor plate. The ends of
this half pre-rig are where the front two litter tenders will be attached to the system with carabiners
to their pelvic harnesses. One rescuer will be positioned on either side of the litter. The prusiks
attached to these tails will allow the tenders to better position themselves along the side of the
litter.
5. Untie the middle figure eight on a bight in the other half of the pre-rig. This length of rope will
secure the third rescuer at the foot of the rescue litter. Attach the figure eight on a bight and prusik
loop at one end of this pre-rig to the anchor plate with a carabiner. Use a carabiner to clip the rope
into the main frame of the litter at the victim's elbow. This will keep the rope from passing over the
victim's body when it is attached to the rescuer at the foot of the litter. The rescuer at the foot of the
litter uses the prusik at the end of the pre-rig attached to his pelvic harness to adjust his position.
Four Litter Tenders
1. Rig a litter for vertical raising at the head of the litter. A 5' length of webbing is the preferred
length for this sling.
2. Attach the figure eight on a bight knots in the end of the main and belay lines to an anchor plate or
multi-directional ring with a steel carabiner.
3. Attach the sling at the head of the rescue litter to the anchor plate with a steel carabiner.
4. Untie the middle figure eight on a bight on each half of the pre-rig.
5. Attach the figure eight on a bight from the end of one half of a pre-rig to the right side of the
anchor plate. The prusik hitch from this end and the figure eight on a bight at the opposite end of
this half pre-rig are where the right front and rear litter tenders will be attached to the system with
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Figure 13.8
Litter Rigging, Low Angle, 4 Person
December 2000
RESCUE SYSTEMS 1
CHAPTER 13
THE RESCUE LITTER
carabiners to their pelvic harnesses. The front litter tender will be positioned near the victim's
shoulder. The rear person will be positioned near the victim's thighs. The prusiks attached to these
tails will allow the tenders to better position themselves along the side of the litter. Use a carabiner
to clip the rope into the main frame of the litter at the victim's elbow. This will keep the rope from
passing over the victim's body when it is attached to the rescuer at the foot of the litter.
6. Attach the figure eight on a bight from the end of one half of a pre-rig to the left side of the anchor
plate. The prusik hitch from this end and the figure eight on a bight and prusik at the opposite end
of this half pre-rig are where the left front and rear litter tenders will be attached to the system with
carabiners to their pelvic harnesses. The front litter tender will be
positioned near the victim's shoulder. The rear person will be
positioned near the victim's thighs. The prusiks attached to these
tails will allow the tenders to better position themselves along the
side of the litter. Use a carabiner to clip the rope into the main
frame of the litter at the victim's elbow. This will keep the rope
from passing over the victim's body when it is attached to the
rescuer at the foot of the litter.
Vertical Attachment
Webbing Sling Method
1. Wrap a 5' length of webbing around the main frame at the head of
the rescue litter. Beginning outside one of the skids and ending
outside the opposite skid. Avoid weld in the middle.
2. Secure with an overhand bend.
3. Pull the webbing from the center of the main frame (at the weld
point) until it reaches the end of the sling.
4. Rotate sling until knot is off to one side
5. Attach to rope with a carabiner clipped into figure eight on a bight.
Figure 13.9
Litter Rigging, Vertical Raise
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THE RESCUE LITTER
Direct Attachment to Rope Method
1. Tie a figure eight stopper knot about 3' from the end of the rope.
2. Wrap the end of the rope around the main frame at the head of the rescue litter. Beginning outside
one of the skids and ending outside the opposite skid. Avoid weld in the middle.
3. Secure with a figure eight follow through with the end of the rope using the stopper knot.
Figure 13.10
Litter Rigging, Vertical Raise, Improvised
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Horizontal Attachment
1. A rope pre-rig is attached to the rescue litter with steel carabiners.
2. Carabiners clip around the main frame, between small rib (stops) provided to prevent carabiners
from sliding up and down on the main frame. The carabiner gates go toward the inside of the
basket.
3. The pre-rig is adjusted to keep the victim's head slightly higher than the feet or as patient care
dictates.
Figure 13.12
Litter Rigging, Horizontal Raise, Improvised
Figure 13.11
Litter Rigging, Horizontal Raise
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