What is the primary rescue device used for helicopter and shipboard recovery?

The double rescue hook is the primary rescue device used for helicopter and shipboard recovery because it is specifically designed to ensure efficiency and safety during rescues conducted in challenging environments like the open sea or in situations where victims may be in distress. This device allows for two points of attachment, enabling rescuers to secure a person more effectively and distribute the weight evenly during the lifting process.

Using a double rescue hook minimizes the risk of accidents during the recovery operation by providing a secure grasp on the individual being rescued, which is crucial when dealing with the dynamic and often unpredictable conditions typically experienced in maritime and aerial rescues. The design accommodates swift and reliable connections to rescue personnel or victims, allowing for quick extrication from potentially life-threatening situations.

Other options, while related to safety and recovery, do not serve the dual purpose of securing and lifting individuals as effectively as the double rescue hook. Emergency beacons signal for assistance, flotation devices provide buoyancy, and rescue nets can be useful in specific recoveries but lack the comprehensive functionality required in aerial or maritime rescues.