When deploying a rescue strop in the water, to how many sides should it be attached?

The correct answer is that the rescue strop should be attached to one side only. This method is important for maintaining the stability and effectiveness of the strop during a rescue operation. When the strop is secured to one side, it allows for proper orientation of the victim in the water, facilitating easier retrieval and ensuring the person being rescued is adequately supported.

Attaching the strop to both sides can complicate the pull and may lead to instability in the strapping, risking further injury to the victim or making the operation more difficult for the rescuer. Using no sides would render the strop ineffective, as it would not serve its purpose of safely securing a person. Attaching to all four corners would be cumbersome and could hinder the rescue process, making it hard to maneuver the individual safely through the water. Therefore, the most effective practice in a rescue scenario is to attach the strop to one side only.