Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
12 4
The rescue hook is the primary rescue device. All other rescue devices can
only be used with the double rescue hook. In accordance with Aviation Crew
Systems Rescue and Survival Equipment, NAVAIR13-1-6.5, the large hook,
rated at 3000 pounds, shall be the only hook used to hoist personnel; the small
hook, rated at 1000 pounds, is to be used only for lightweight items such as mail.
Fig.12.2 Attaching the rescue hook to the gated D-ring
Hoisting personnel by the equipment ring or small hook can lead to failure of
the ring or hook and can result in injury or death of hoisted personnel. When wet
and cold, an individual may have difficulty handling the latch on the rescue hook.
However, by pushing down on the latch with the gated D-ring, you will force the
latch open on either the hook or the gated D-ring.
Rescue Swimmer’s Harness
During swimmer assisted rescues, the swimmer’s harness may be used to
attach the survivor to the hoist cable. When the rescue swimmer’s harness is
selected as the rescue lifting device, the rescue swimmer uses the following
procedure:
1. He approaches the survivor from the rear and pulls the chest strap
from the pocket of the rescue harness.
NOTE: When connecting to a survivor, he ensures that the chest strap on the
survivor is loosened slightly to avoid injury. If the survivor is wearing an
integrated torso harness, he uses extreme caution to ensure that the gated D-
rings are not disconnected before hoisting.
2. Connects the gated D-ring of the rescue swimmers harness to the
survivors lifting device. The connection of the survivor’s lifting device to the
rescue hook will negate the survivor’s quick release feature of the swimmer’s
harness.
3. Signals the aircraft “ready for pickup.” When the rescue hook is
lowered in the water, connects the lifting V-ring of the rescue swimmer’s
harness to the large rescue hook.