Litter (rescue basket)

Litter Rescue Basket (a.k.a. Stokes Litter) are essentially a stretcher with sides (or just a raised edge) and a removable head/torso cover. They are most notibly remembered from Korea and Viet Nam images of Air Force Pararescue soldiers or more recent Coast Guard video clips of helicopters rescuing injured people from isolated areas. Some will also recall the images from the TV show M*A*S*H of fixed stretchers on either side of medical evacuation helicopters.

Originally designed by Charles Stokes (and sometimes called "Stokes Litters"), these baskets have been notorious for spinning under the downdraft from the rotating helicopter blades. Design improvements have included using multiple attach points, separate hold-down cables, and powered extension hoists to help save more lives.

Recently the U.S. Navy has used the Stokes to transport patients through narrow corridors and doorways.