In a litter harness lowered with a single line, what is the minimum number of legs to be used?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Five
• D. Four

Answer: (D)

In this setup, stability and even load distribution are the priorities. When you lower a litter on a single line, you want the rope to share the weight across multiple points on the patient’s harness so the litter remains level and doesn’t swing or rotate as it moves. Attaching the line at four points on the harness creates four rope segments (four “legs”) that carry the load, giving you better control, balance, and redundancy. If you used fewer than four points, the load could focus on fewer contact points, making the litter more prone to tipping or twisting. Four points provide the minimum that achieves stable, controllable descent.