Who controls the descent in a rope rescue operation?

• A. The Litter Captain
• B. The Incident Commander
• C. The Safety Officer
• D. The Rescue Technician

Answer: (A)

In a rope rescue, the person in charge of moving the patient and overseeing the litter is the one who controls the descent. This role, the Litter Captain, plans the lowering, communicates with the belay team, and directs how fast and where the litter is lowered. They ensure the rigging, devices, and safety checks are all in place and that the descent is conducted smoothly and safely, adjusting as needed based on conditions and patient status. The Incident Commander oversees the whole operation and priorities, the Safety Officer watches for safety hazards and can stop operations if something looks unsafe, and the Rescue Technician handles technical rigging and setup under the Litter Captain’s direction. By design, the Litter Captain maintains control of the descent to coordinate patient movement and protect everyone involved.