To prevent back injury to the survivor, how is the survivor pulled into the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)?

To ensure the safety and minimize the risk of back injury while pulling a survivor into a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), the proper method involves positioning the survivor facing outboard of the tube. This orientation allows the survivor to be brought in without twisting their spine, which is crucial in preventing potential back injuries that could result from improper lifting techniques.

By pulling the survivor into the RHIB facing outboard, it facilitates a more natural movement as they are guided into the boat while maintaining alignment of the spine. This technique also helps in distributing the weight more evenly and helps the rescuers manage the recovery more effectively, reducing the strain on both the survivor and the rescuers.

Positioning the survivor in different orientations, such as facing inward, might create more of a twisting motion that could lead to injury. Additionally, while having two rescuers can assist with lifting, the primary focus should be on how the survivor is positioned during the maneuver. Using a harness could provide additional safety, but it is not the primary action that prevents back injury in this specific scenario.