After the victim has been brought alongside the boat, the recovery/pickup person should ______ aboard.

After the victim has been brought alongside the boat, the recovery/pickup person should ______ aboard.

• A. Heave
• B. Pull
• C. Lift
• D. Drag

Answer: (A)

Bringing the victim aboard is done with a controlled, coordinated haul—this is called heaving aboard. Once alongside, the recovery operator uses a steady, sustained effort (often with the recovery line) to pull the casualty up and over the gunwale and onto the deck. This method distributes the effort through the body and line, reducing the risk of injury to both the rescuer and the victim and helping prevent slipping or dropping. Simply pulling, lifting with only the arms, or dragging the person can strain the rescuer or cause additional harm to the casualty, which is why heave aboard is the preferred technique.

Bringing the victim aboard is done with a controlled, coordinated haul—this is called heaving aboard. Once alongside, the recovery operator uses a steady, sustained effort (often with the recovery line) to pull the casualty up and over the gunwale and onto the deck. This method distributes the effort through the body and line, reducing the risk of injury to both the rescuer and the victim and helping prevent slipping or dropping. Simply pulling, lifting with only the arms, or dragging the person can strain the rescuer or cause additional harm to the casualty, which is why heave aboard is the preferred technique.